ADS, in collaboration with the Research Councils UK Partnership for Conflict, Crime and Security (PaCCS) Research (formerly the Global Uncertainties Programme), is enabling academic researchers to showcase their work and its significance to the security and resilience sector in an Academic Market Place.

What is the Market Place?

The Market Place is an online “shop window” for researchers to promote their work and its commercial significance to the security and resilience sector.  It provides an ability for academics to present their research to potential industry partners and end-users.

What does the Market Place aim to do?

The aims of the Market Place are threefold:

  1. To improve the visibility of research with commercial promise.
  2. To improve pull-through and commercialisation of publicly funded research and development.
  3. To help researchers develop their communications skills, understanding of business plans, IP etc, by facilitating engagement with industry and providing industry mentors.

What is on the Market Place?

At launch, 30 projects have been submitted by 21 organisations including Aston University (Birmingham), the University of Birmingham, the University of Cambridge, Cascade Technologies, Durham University, the University of Kent, King’s College London, Manchester Metropolitan University, the University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University, Queen’s University Belfast, Royal Holloway University, the Science and Technology Facilities Council, Selective Antibodies, the University of Sheffield, the University of Strathclyde (Glasgow), UCL, and the University of the West of England (Bristol).

The projects are divided into eight categories:

  1. Countering Radicalisation
  2. Cyber Security
  3. Identity Management
  4. Intelligence Analysis
  5. Security Assessments
  6. Security Modelling
  7. Threat Imaging
  8. Threat Sensing

Examples

As examples,

  • UCL has submitted a project on Facial Motion Analysis.  It has developed a technology to describe the variation of the face either within or across individuals – a capacity to map expressions between faces.  This enables users to estimate a whole face from a partly colluded face.  Industry partners are sought to provide financial assistance to help support the development of work on facial motion analysis to enable the produce to be commercialised.
  • Queen’s University Belfast has submitted a project on Android Malware Detection.  QUB has developed a highly accurate Android malware detection strategy based on automated static analysis of Android application packages.  The strategy combines lightweight analysis of permissions information held in the manifest file along with detailed analysis of the application’s use of critical APIs and system services.  The resulting classifier is over 92% accurate in identifying Android malware.  QUB is seeking industry partners from Android marketplace operators, enterprise or online business to further enhance and validate the detection technology.
  • Selective Antibodies has submitted a Rapid Testing Platform for Explosives and Other Small Molecules.  This platform allows ultra-rapid testing of CBRN agents and explosive substances and is readily expandable to other targets.  It is highly portable and inexpensive.  Industry partners are sought to support and fund the further development of the platform.

What next?

ADS and the Partnership for Conflict, Crime and Security Research will continue to add projects to the online market place.

In addition,

  • Periodic showcase events will be organised where researchers can pitch to potential industry partners or seek mentors.
  • Clinics will be held to help researchers improve their understanding of IP, communication skills and business plans.
  • The possibility of an “incubator” (physical location in London for use by researchers) will be explored.