This program area aims to understand and assess the security practices of various actors in different local spaces. A security practice can be broadly defined as any social activity that articulates and engages perceived threats in a coordinated manner and over a prolonged period of time. The program rests upon the assumption that efforts to ‘govern’ security can take many different forms and are usually exercised within and through complex networks composed of multiple agents. 

Publications

The objective of this program is to provide empirically based theoretical insight and consequent policy recommendations on arms control. Two principal questions are addressed:What are the wider ramifications of the global arms trade and increasing investments of states in military capacities?How can weapons exports, alongside national and civilian stockpiles, be subjected to effective regimes of regulation?

Publications

BICC has been studying the linkage between natural resources and conflict by conducting research, lobbying and educational work on this issue since the year 2000. Two questions are particularly relevant to BICC's work in this area:What factors lead to the fatal link between natural resources and violent conflict?What type of natural resource governance can contribute toward peace and development?

Publications

BICC investigates the linkages between migration and security and intends to generate empirical data on (in)security as a driver and consequence of voluntary and involuntary migration. The program area integrates many projects and publications at BICC. Following a more balanced approach to analyzing the interplay of security, conflict, development and migration, BICC’s research takes into account three dimensions: 1) countries and regions of origin; 2) countries of settlement and recipient societies; 3) transnational communities and diasporas.

Publications

Issues related to the conversion of military bases are an important aspect of BICC’s work. Research has thus far evolved around two issues. On the one hand, it has been predominantly shaped by the concrete requirements of affected communities and the federal states of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) and Brandenburg. Activities here are closely connected to the challenges resulting from the ongoing reform of the German Bundeswehr. On the other hand, BICC has engaged internationally in advising countries like South Korea, South Africa as well as Eastern European countries. Besides that, BICC has also conducted research about the conversion of the defense industry.

Publications

BICC’s crosscutting program area “Data and GIS (Geographic Information System)” serves as a backbone and source for all other program areas at BICC.
BICC's work includes data collection and storage, data provision and use, spatial data visualization as well as the development of interactive database and WebGIS applications. Additionally, the program area focuses on the implementation and use of new methods for GIS-based spatial, statistical and comparative data and information analysis. 

Publications