Boundaries of Being began as an emergent area at the last Security Lancaster Away Day back in April 2025, out of a shared desire to explore how emerging technologies reshape what it means to be human in the future. Since then, a small group of us have met semi-regularly to talk about the convergence of our physical and digital selves, the relationship between AI and identity, and the threats and vulnerabilities that are opening up as a result.

Building on the foundations of these discussions, our workshop drew together researchers with these common interests to develop three strands of work on the security of conversations and voices, the ownership and protection of the self, and the transformation of human skills.

The afternoon saw a series of small-group discussions and work sessions. The richness and layers of debate and planning that took place within that short space of time were a testament to the breadth of the interdisciplinary expertise we have at Lancaster to bear on these topics. It was particularly wonderful to see how easily researchers from different corners of the university, and across all career stages, connected with one another to identify the most pressing questions.

There were lots to take home from the workshop, not least the many more questions that the discussions threw up. In one strand, collaborations were already forming and foundations were laid for research projects, while those working in another strand started making plans for a focused follow-up workshop. The most important takeaway of all, to us, was the unmistakable sense of a community truly coming together by the end of the day, with a wish to continue thinking and working together.

As this inspiring workshop concludes, we look forward to continuing working with everyone in this community and can’t wait to see the range of research and engagement initiatives that will emerge.

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