A Day of Leadership, Innovation and Inspiration
On 15 July 2026, the Centre of Excellence for Defence, Risk and Resilience (CEDRR) welcomed academics, security professionals, industry leaders and students to the University of Portsmouth's Future Technology Centre for its inaugural Breaking Barriers: Women in Risk and Security symposium.
The event celebrated the achievements of women across defence, security, policing, resilience, emergency management and academia - creating a forum for discussing the future of leadership in these rapidly evolving fields. The initiative was conceived by Professor Sara Hadleigh-Dunn and organised together with Professor Peter Lee and Dr John Akerele from CEDRR and supported by the Association of Security Consultants (ASC).
Their vision was to create a platform where academic research, professional practice and lived experience could come together to inspire collaboration, encourage innovation and promote greater representation of women in risk and security professions.
Breaking Barriers, Building Security: Redefining Leadership in High Stakes Environments
Following opening remarks from the CEDRR Directors, the symposium began with a keynote speech delivered by Professor Alison Wakefield, Professor of Criminology and Security Studies at the University of West London. In her address, 'Breaking Barriers, Building Security: Redefining Leadership in High Stakes Environments', Professor Wakefield explored how women continue to reshape leadership within increasingly complex global security environments.
Drawing on her career in criminology and security studies, she highlighted the importance of courageous leadership, professional integrity and innovation in responding to today's interconnected security challenges.
Turning Risk into Resilience: Lessons from High Pressure Roles
Next was with an engaging conversation with Vanessa Rueda Mata, Head of Space Sales Digital UK and Secure Connectivity US at Airbus. She reflected on her international leadership experience and discussed how resilience, strategic thinking and adaptability enable leaders to thrive in high-pressure environments.
Her insights into the commercial space sector demonstrated how emerging technologies and global connectivity increasingly intersect with modern security challenges.
Women at the Frontlines of Complexity
The first expert panel of the day, chaired by Professor Peter Lee, was 'Risk Leadership Reimagined: Women at the Frontlines of Complexity'. It brought together professionals from across the security industry who discussed leadership within increasingly uncertain operational environments.
The panel featured Judy Atkinson, Head of Operations at Securitas UK. A leading advocate for diversity within the private security sector, she discussed the importance of inclusive leadership and raising the profile of security careers for future generations. Also present were Dr Sophie Carr, founder of Bays Consulting, and Helen Gripton, Human Rights and Social Impact Lead at BP.
Dr Car brought expertise combining mathematics, risk modelling and consultancy to support security planning for major international events. Together with Helen they explored how responsible security practices and human rights considerations are becoming central to modern corporate security strategies.
Women at the Edge of Innovation: Academic-Practitioner Collaboration for a Safer World
Following lunch, the symposium shifted towards the role of research and innovation during the Academic Expert Panel, chaired by Dr Patricia Shamai. This discussion demonstrated the increasingly important relationship between academic research and operational practice.
The panel brought together internationally recognised scholars, including Professor Lorraine Hope, Professor of Applied Cognitive Psychology at the University of Portsmouth. They discussed how psychological research has transformed investigative interviewing and intelligence gathering for policing and national security organisations.
Joining them was Dr Becky Canning, Deputy Director for Space at the University of Portsmouth's Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation. They highlighted how space technologies, artificial intelligence and Earth observation are creating new opportunities to strengthen resilience and support evidence-based decision-making.
Dr Yung Fang Chen, Assistant Professor in Disaster Management and Emergency Planning at Coventry University, completed the panel by examining risk communication, emergency preparedness and the importance of community resilience in disaster management.
Tales from the Front Line
A highlight of the afternoon was the Association of Security Consultants (ASC) Panel, moderated by Simon Crane, Global Director of Consulting at AHNA Group and recently appointed Chair of the ASC. The session was an honest discussion of the opportunities and challenges experienced by women throughout their careers in the security profession.
The panel included Kate Dawes, security consultant and Ambassador for the ASC, who shared her experience developing strategic partnerships across the security technology sector. She was joined by Dr Sophie Carr and Pam Whittemore, Director of Inside Sales at Vicon Industries. Pam reflected on more than three decades of experience working with integrators, manufacturers and end users across the security industry.
Hayley Joseph, business leader at Secure Logiq and ASC Affiliate Member, ended by discussing leadership, business development and the importance of mentoring and education in supporting the next generation of security professionals. Together, the panel offered practical advice, reflections and an optimistic vision for creating a more diverse and inclusive security industry.
Voices of the Next Generation
The symposium also provided a platform for emerging voices as early-and mid-career researchers presented innovative research and fresh perspectives on contemporary security challenges. Presentations were delivered by Claire Hunt, whose research focuses on crisis management from an organisational insight and Dr Busra Nisa Sarac, whose research traces security and risk regarding the Yezidi women and children.
The panel was closed by Donika Hvarchilkova, who researches the influence of small EU member states within the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy, using Bulgaria as a case study. The session highlighted the important contribution of early-career researchers to advancing knowledge across defence, resilience and international security.
From Resilience to Reinvention: The Future of Women in Global Security
The day concluded with an inspiring keynote from Sarah Austerberry, Chief Executive Officer of The Security Institute. Reflecting on more than twenty-five years of experience across government, critical national infrastructure and private industry, Sarah encouraged participants to view diversity not simply as an organisational objective but as a strategic necessity.
Her closing remarks reinforced the importance of communication, inclusive leadership and continuous professional development in shaping the future of the security profession.
What is next?
Throughout the symposium, one message remained consistent - the increasingly complex security environment demands diverse perspectives, collaborative leadership and stronger partnerships between academia, industry and public institutions.
By bringing together internationally recognised experts alongside emerging researchers, Breaking Barriers: Women in Risk and Security demonstrated CEDRR's commitment to advancing excellence in defence, risk and resilience while creating opportunities for the next generation of women leaders.
As participants gathered for the closing networking reception the event established a growing community committed to challenging barriers, sharing expertise and building a more inclusive future for the global risk and security profession.