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Research Group on Security and Humanitarian Law



 

The Research Group on Security and Humanitarian Law is an academic focal point for research on contemporary threats to Danish and international society. The group adopts a broad understanding of security, addressing legal and political issues across multiple research areas. Its members include researchers specializing in public international law, human rights law, constitutional law, administrative law, international humanitarian law, climate law, cyber operations, cybersecurity, hybrid warfare, security studies, international organization, international politics and Danish foreign policy.

 

The research group brings together researchers from the Department of Law and the Department of Political Science.


Upcoming events


Conference

The Law of Armed Conflict in Total Defence

Aarhus 9-12. November 2026

Conference

The Maritime Domain Throughout Peace, Crisis and War

May 2027



Current research projects


Low-intensity cyber operations from a Danish and international law perspective

The project maps the legal framework governing cyber operations in Denmark. It covers both situations in which Denmark conducts cyber operations and situations in which Denmark is the target or victim of such activities.

The project focuses on cyber operations below the threshold of armed attack. This includes cyber espionage, low-intensity cyber operations and various forms of influence activities in cyberspace. The project also examines democratic perspectives of cyber operations.

Interference with real property under extraordinary circumstances

The project examines the rules that apply to interference with real property under extraordinary circumstances in Danish law. This includes interference arising from security threats, environmental disasters or states of necessity, including war.

A central part of the project is a systematic analysis of the legal regulation authorising such interference. A current example is the expansion of the armed forces' powers of expropriation in wartime. The project also addresses unwritten rules on interference in states of necessity and the question of compensation in such cases.

Protection of critical infrastructure from a national and public international law perspective

The project examines how critical infrastructure can be protected, approaching the topic from several angles. The focus is on the opportunities and barriers that Danish and international law respectively present for effective protection.

One concrete example is the scope for intervening against sabotage of critical maritime infrastructure, including undersea cables and pipelines. The project covers a broad range of issues, from countermeasures against cyber attacks targeting critical infrastructure to the interpretation of national security clauses in international investment protection agreements.


Publications

2026

2025

2021






Samling af forskere fra Juridisk Institut

Do you need a legal expert?


At the Department of Law, you will find researchers with specialist expertise in a wide range of legal fields – from environmental law, health law and business law to constitutional law and human rights. Whether you are seeking knowledge, facts or professional sparring, you can find the right expert here.

Explore the research areas

Do you need a legal expert?

At the Department of Law, you will find researchers with specialist expertise in a wide range of legal fields – from environmental law, health law and business law to constitutional law and human rights. Whether you are seeking knowledge, facts or professional sparring, you can find the right expert here.

Revised 11.09.2026
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Line Bang Petersen