Mobile menu icon
Skip to navigation | Skip to main content | Skip to footer
Mobile menu icon Search iconSearch
Search type

Thomas Ashton Institute for Risk and Regulatory Research

SPRITE+ Sandpit 2025 in collaboration with SALIENT

20 January 2025

SPRITE+ is pleased to invite Members and Expert Fellows to apply to attend a blended sandpit on the TIPS and Resilient Futures. Up to £162k of SPRITE+ funding will be made available to fund up to five interdisciplinary projects arising from this sandpit. In addition, successful projects will be eligible to bid for a subsequent larger grant from SALIENT as part of their project.

SPRITE+ is the EPSRC-funded Security, Privacy, Identity and Trust Engagement NetworkPlus (grant reference EP/W020408/1). We work with academic and non-academic stakeholders to build and strengthen the TIPS (Trust, Identity, Privacy and Security) community and identify requirements and promising new directions for research in this area. We have a ‘pump-priming’ budget to fund activities that explore and test new ideas, and that create new collaborations between academic disciplines, and between academic and non-academic partners.

SALIENT is UKRI’s Building a Secure and Resilient World: Research and Coordination Hub, it was launched in February 2024 following a funding competition led by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) in support of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) strategic theme, Building a Secure and Resilient World (BSRW). The University of Manchester was awarded £4.3m to deliver the hub over a 5-year period, in conjunction with the universities of Exeter, Bath and Sussex.

BSRW is one of five UKRI strategic themes to enable working across disciplines and the leveraging of new and existing investment and activity; it seeks to strengthen security and resilience, from individual to national level, across a range of social and economic areas at the heart of daily life.

SALIENT will lead, plan, deliver and manage a devolved funding programme during the life of the hub, thereby creating opportunities in identified areas of knowledge and evidence gaps within the scope of the BSRW strategic theme.

The research challenge: TIPS and Resilient Futures

Resilience refers to the capacity to adapt and recover from challenges. The UKRI Building a Secure and Resilient World (BSRW) initiative is taking a systemic approach that is human-centred, aimed at strengthening societal and economic resilience, and enhancing security across virtual and physical environments, by improving awareness of risks and threats, preparedness, informed decision making and response. It will work towards change being understood as a force for good. All these conceptualisations of resilience intersect with holistic ideas about security but also TIPS more broadly. For example, in organisational contexts:

  1. Building Trust: Trust can be seen as a central to systemic resilience. When stakeholders—be they individuals, teams, or organizations—trust one another, they are more likely to collaborate effectively and share crucial information, especially during crises. Establishing and maintaining trust is essential for resilience in the face of challenges.
  2. Identity Assurance: Fully functional identity management systems are increasing central to the digital economy. A robust identity framework minimizes security risks and enhances resilience by ensuring systemic failures are minimised.
  3. Privacy Protection: Protecting privacy is crucial for maintaining user confidence. When individuals know their personal information is safeguarded, they are more willing to engage with systems and share necessary data. This trust in privacy enhances resilience by facilitating open communication and collaboration.
  4. Security Measures: Strong security protocols are fundamental to resilience. By implementing comprehensive security strategies, organizations can defend against potential threats and respond swiftly to incidents. Resilient systems can recover quickly from disruptions, maintaining continuity and protecting sensitive information.
  5. Adaptability and Continuous Improvement: TIPS promotes an adaptive approach to managing trust, identity, privacy, and security. Organizations that continuously evaluate and improve their practices can better navigate evolving challenges and threats, thereby enhancing overall resilience.

Then at the individual level, resilience involves psychological robustness and the ability to cope with stress and adversity. Again, it easy to see how the elements of TIPS—Trust, Identity, Privacy, and Security significantly influence an individual’s personal resilience:

  1. Trust and Psychological Safety: When individuals feel trusted by others and can trust their environments, it fosters a sense of psychological safety. This trust allows them to express themselves openly, seek support, and take risks without fear of negative consequences. Such an environment encourages individuals to confront challenges and setbacks, ultimately enhancing their resilience.
  2. Identity and Self-Concept: A strong sense of identity contributes to resilience. When individuals have a clear understanding of who they are and their values, they are better equipped to navigate difficulties. Trust in their own identity—knowing their skills, strengths, and boundaries—allows individuals to draw upon these resources during tough times, reinforcing their ability to bounce back.
  3. Privacy and Autonomy: The ability to control one’s personal information and maintain privacy is crucial for mental well-being. When individuals feel their privacy is respected, they are more likely to share their thoughts and feelings, which can be essential for processing experiences and building resilience. This sense of autonomy supports their psychological strength, allowing them to cope with stress more effectively.
  4. Security and Stability: The sense of security—both physical and emotional—creates a stable foundation for resilience. Individuals who feel secure in their environments can focus on problem-solving and developing coping strategies rather than being preoccupied with potential threats. This stability promotes a mindset that is conducive to overcoming challenges.
  5. Support Networks: Trust and security in relationships contribute to the formation of supportive networks. When individuals feel safe and connected to others, they are more likely to seek help and share their experiences. These social connections are vital for resilience, providing emotional support and practical resources during times of hardship.

So, in short, the relationship between TIPS and resilience, is both central and also multifaceted making the topic an ideal focus for a Sandpit.

We expect participants at this sandpit to approach the topic of from many different perspectives. We welcome applications from researchers across STEM, arts and humanities, and social and behavioural sciences, including from those who have not previously worked on the sandpit theme but have an interest in the topic as well as those with an established track record in TIPS topics.

We warmly welcome applications from industry, NGOs, government, and the police. Non-academic participants will play a central role in the development of proposals (and in the successful projects).

Sandpit outputs

Up to £162k of SPRITE+ funding will be made available to fund interdisciplinary projects arising from this sandpit. 

Funding might cover the costs of conducting scoping studies, research engagement with organisations and/or the public, feasibility studies, and demonstrators. The aim is to explore promising ‘proof of concept’ ideas that could be developed into a second stage, more ambitious
funding proposal from SALIENT funds.

The timescale for each project will be no longer than four months, and each project funded is expected to be between £13,500 and £40,000 (at 100% full Economic Cost (fEC)), of which SPRITE+ will fund 80% fEC (in line with UKRI rules). In practical terms, this means that SPRITE+ will fund 80% of the total costs outlined in successful proposals. For example, if your proposal is costed at £40,000 (100% fEC), SPRITE+ will fund £32,000 (80% fEC). Project Partners and non-academic Members may contribute in-kind resources.

As a secondary output, the successful sandpit projects will be invited to develop a proposal for submitting to a ringfenced Salient fund of 450K. Up to three of the projects will be funded at up to £150,000 (at 100% full Economic Cost (fEC)), of which SALIENT will fund 80% fEC (in line with UKRI rules).

Expected commitment from participants

The sandpit will be run online and in person at the following dates and times in June-July 2025:

  • Session 1 (online): 3 June, 12:30 – 16:00
  • Session 2 (in-person residential at Crewe Hall Hotel): 9 and 10 June from 10:00 on day 1 until 16:00 on day 2
  • Session 3 (online): 17 June, 12:30 – 16:00
  • Session 4 (online): 24 June, 12:30 – 16:00 

Participants must attend every session in full and will be expected to engage with each other and with project partners in between the formal sessions, to develop and refine their ideas. Suggested reading and videos may be provided before and during the workshop and participants are encouraged to explore relevant research and grey literature.

An application to attend will be taken to mean you are available for these dates and able to engage fully.

How to apply

The short application form can be found at the link below:

Return to the full list of news stories.