Event Details

Boundaries of Being

Boundaries of Being is an emergent research theme within Security Lancaster, exploring how emerging technologies reshape identity, security, and what it means to be human in the future. This workshop will bring together researchers from different disciplines to explore the key themes of (1) security of conversation, (2) ownership of self, and (3) human skills, in order to surface questions and problems of interest and build common ground for novel projects.

Our main objective is to examine the impact of new and emerging technologies on areas where our constantly evolving human identities and matters of security converge. We also seek to raise awareness and promote public discussion of security challenges related to the human self.

We adopt a wide range of approaches – including but not limited to experimental, policy, participatory, and design research – to explore key questions such as:

• What are the security implications of the interaction between, and integration of, humans and technology?
• What opportunities and security-challenges do digital twins present in exploring the boundaries of identity and humanity?
• What vulnerabilities emerge from the increasing dependence on technology and digital services? How do we protect ourselves from such vulnerabilities?
• How can we spot the human in the digital world?
• What is the future of biometrics?
• How do humans interact with deepfake technology in the real world?
• How do legal and social structures respond to the evolving relationships between humans and technology?

This workshop is open to researchers from different career stages and disciplinary backgrounds, and we particularly welcome early-career researchers. Please contact the Academic Theme Leads Lena Podoletz or Justin Lo for registration or other enquiries.