Safety and Security, Resilience, Crises and Trauma (SAFE)

The SAFE research group examines safety and security, resilience, crisis, and trauma from a multiprofessional perspective at the individual, community, and societal levels.

Core competencies

The SAFE research group has strong expertise in issues of psychological, social, and health security within social and health care, operational perspectives in emergency medical services and rescue services, as well as the development of safety, preparedness, and risk management in society, organisations, and educational institutions.

The group’s multidisciplinary expertise is further strengthened by perspectives from the cultural sector, community-based activities, and reservist activities, which contribute to enhancing societal resilience, local community crisis tolerance, and comprehensive security.

The SAFE group works actively within the framework of trauma-informed approach, strengthening psychological and social safety in service systems and everyday encounters. The group supports the development of resilience, crisis tolerance, and functional reliability among both professionals and the population at large. 

Research themes

1. Experiential and structural foundations of safety 

This theme explores the significance of physical, psychological, and social safety in everyday life and in societal trust. The research examines how safety is constructed through interaction, services, and communities, while also addressing the specific safety challenges created by multiculturalism and refugee experiences. Safety is understood as both an experiential and an institutional phenomenon, encompassing preparedness, risk management, and issues such as client and patient safety.

2. Trauma and crises as individual, community, and societal phenomena 

This theme investigates the multi-level nature of traumatic experiences and their impacts on perceived safety, trust, participation, and interaction. Attention is given to both acute and prolonged crises, as well as disruptions in living conditions that affect the predictability of the future. The research sheds light on how trauma manifests at the individual level, within communities, and across broader societal structures.

3. Psychological crisis resilience and resilience capacity 

This theme analyses factors that strengthen the ability of individuals, communities, and structures to face, endure, and process crises. It examines psychological crisis resilience before, during, and after a crisis. The theme also addresses the construction of adaptation, agency, hope, and meaningfulness in conditions of uncertainty. Emphasis is placed on the role of social relationships, justice, and service systems in strengthening resilience and participation.

4. Trauma-informed approach in societal contexts 

This theme focuses on the development and evaluation of trauma-informed models of practice. The research examines the ethical foundations of trauma-informed thinking, the significance of safe relationships and power dynamics, and the impact of practical solutions in services, education, leadership, and civil society. The aim is to strengthen psychological and social safety and to prevent retraumatisation across diverse operational environments.