The NCS⁴ is the United States' only academic center devoted to the study and practice of spectator sports safety and security. The NCS⁴ research mission is led by Dr. Brandon Allen, and our applied research goals are accomplished through partnerships with industry professionals and academics. We aim to open dialogue between academia and the profession by identifying research gaps and exploring lines of inquiry that address industry needs with real world applications.
Research Activities
The NCS⁴ staff, research affiliates, and colleagues, both nationally and internationally, publish peer-reviewed articles, textbooks, white papers, and industry research reports. They conduct workshops, conference presentations, and host a bi-annual research seminar series to share interdisciplinary research.
Research Affiliate Program
NCS⁴ Research Affiliates comprise faculty from around the world with diverse backgrounds and specialized research expertise in sport safety and security. The Affiliates offer a wealth of interdisciplinary knowledge, such as sport management, sport law, economics, geography/GIS, computer science, sociology, and criminology, and significantly contribute to the research output at NCS⁴.
Research Reports
Industry Research Reports are published annually on national surveys focused on spectators’ perceptions of safety and security and venue security directors’ operational issues, emerging threats, and technology solutions.
Forum White Papers seek to gauge the operational practices of safety and security concerns facing sports security professionals at their respective events. Industry-specific surveys are administered to registered attendees at NCS⁴ forums (professional sports/entertainment facilities, intercollegiate, interscholastic athletics, and marathon and endurance events).
Research Impacts Practice Report is published annually to highlight scholarly activities of the NCS⁴ Research Affiliates.
Research Seminar Series
The seminar series showcases sports safety and security research conducted by NCS⁴ staff, research affiliates, and faculty/staff from universities and associations worldwide, with the goal of bridging the gap between theory and practice. Industry-related topics covered in previous seminars include venue security, lightning safety, facility assessments, cybersecurity, spectator behavior, and staff training. Seminars are conducted twice a year.
Research Publication Listing
The NCS⁴ has compiled a list of academic publications related to the field of sport safety and security, including journal articles, books, magazine articles, and podcasts. This comprehensive publications listing allows researchers to access sport and security publications by year, author, date, or key terms.