Abstract
[Author declined to make full text available]Security risk management (SRM) is an essential component of the humanitarian sector, encompassing the protection of aid-workers, and the continuity of aid delivery in increasingly complex and high-risk environments. This study critically examines the effectiveness of SRM within this setting, exploring its capacity to adapt to volatile conditions and balance the ethical imperative of humanitarian action with organisational risk tolerance. Through a mixed-methods approach,
combining survey data and qualitative interviews, the research identifies key factors influencing SRM effectiveness. The findings suggest that while SRM frameworks offer structured methodologies for
risk reduction, their application in humanitarian contexts remains constrained by operational volatility, resource constraints, and organisational risk cultures.
The study uniquely categorises humanitarian organisations into three typologies: Risk Adapters, who modify their SRM approach to fit dynamic operating environments; Risk Takers, who operate with minimal security frameworks in higher-risk contexts; and Risk Strategists, who embed
comprehensive risk governance models. Critical gaps in SRM implementation include the often- singular reliance on acceptance-based security strategies, and the tendency for executives to
undervalue security until risks materialise, resulting in less-effective reactive approaches. Promising findings include a growing recognition of SRM as an enabler and advancements in risk-informed decision-making, with evidence that more organisations are integrating security into strategic planning and governance structures.
Ultimately, the thesis argues that while challenges remain, the humanitarian sector is at a crucial inflection point with the coinciding of innovative humanitarian security skill-sets, uniquely honed by challenging operating environments, and holistic advances in risk management practice, which
present an opportunity to strengthen SRM effectiveness. The study concludes with recommendations for capitalising on this moment by advocating for greater leadership engagement, improved security literacy and professionalisation, and the adoption of adaptive risk management
frameworks that not only address existing gaps but also position the sector for a more resilient and secure future. While grounded in the humanitarian context, the research findings have broader
relevance for other high-risk sectors such as disaster response, peacekeeping, and critical infrastructure operations. The typology developed in this study offers a novel framework for assessing and improving SRM strategies across similarly complex operating environments.
| Date of Award | 4 Jul 2025 |
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| Original language | English |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Supervisor | David Shepherd (Supervisor), Mark Button (Supervisor) & Branislav Hock (Supervisor) |