TRENDS Research & Advisory, part of TRENDS Group, concluded its first participation in the International Security Expo London 2026 by organizing a panel discussion titled Strategic Power in an Interconnected World: Technology, Resources and Security at Olympia Grand. It also discussed opportunities for academic and research cooperation and future partnerships with the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), and King’s College London, University of London.
Moderated by Zayed Al Dhaheri, a researcher at TRENDS Research & Advisory, the panel discussion featured Alice Bromage, the panel discussion founder of Hawksley International, Quantum North and Empowering Success in the United Kingdom; Dr Melanie Garson, Associate Professor in International Security at University College London; Professor Peter Metcalf, Associate Professor at the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering in the United Kingdom; Jamie Williamson, Executive Director of the International Code of Conduct Association, ICoCA, in Switzerland; and Rawda Al Marzouqi and Hazza Al Hammadi, researchers at TRENDS Research & Advisory.
The Strategic Power Triad
Participants stressed that the triad of technology, resources, and security captures the essence of contemporary strategic power in an interconnected world. These elements intersect to shape the foundations of influence and state dominance, going beyond traditional military concepts. They noted that technology and modern innovations, such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and cloud computing, are fundamental pillars in shaping influence and digital sovereignty.
Resources, meanwhile, are the backbone of sustainability and encompass energy security, critical minerals, and big data, which drive the global economy and ensure the continuity of supply chains. Security serves as a protective shield, centered on safeguarding critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, and physical security, and maintaining stability in a highly volatile, high-risk international environment.
Participants also discussed ways to secure critical mineral supply chains amid intense global competition among states and private-sector investors for access to critical mineral resources in remote areas worldwide. They explained that one key question is how to ensure private security and protect critical mineral sites in a sound and responsible manner, in accordance with international standards and without creating additional risks for investors, asset owners, or local communities.
They stressed that the intersection of technology and geopolitics is pressuring the international system, particularly around the concept of sovereignty and what it means in practice. This requires considering strategic interdependence among states, whereby each country identifies areas of comparative advantage within the wider system, making other countries equally dependent on it and enabling all parties to accelerate progress and achieve sustainable development.
Strengthening Research Partnerships
As part of efforts to strengthen sustainable research relations and partnerships, the TRENDS team explored mechanisms for academic and research cooperation with representatives of the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, one of the world’s top 100 universities, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence and advanced technology programs, accredited training courses, and joint academic publishing.
The team also discussed future cooperation with officials from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, including mechanisms to implement joint research and knowledge projects, launch academic and researcher exchange programs, and strengthen intellectual exchange between academic institutions and think tanks.
Understanding Global Transformations
The TRENDS pavilion at the International Security Expo in London attracted visitors with its specialized publications, research, training, and advisory services. It showcased around 550 books and studies across security, technology, economics, politics, social issues, and foresight, reflecting the importance of scientific research as an effective tool for understanding global transformations.
The TRENDS research team also explored the British Library and its collection of scholarly treasures, historical volumes, and diverse books, and learned about the activities of its Knowledge Center, which hosts conferences and cultural events that support scientific research and promote knowledge exchange.
A Trusted Research Reference
Rawda Al Marzouqi, Head of the Distribution and Exhibitions Sector at TRENDS Group, said TRENDS’ first participation in the International Security Expo in London embodied its firm belief that scientific research and knowledge are not an intellectual luxury but the cornerstone of developing security strategies and addressing rapidly evolving global challenges. She explained that the participation provided an opportunity to present rigorous scholarly publications and studies, strengthening TRENDS’ position as a trusted research reference and underscoring the importance of active participation in international forums that discuss the future of regional and international security and stability.
She said the TRENDS knowledge pavilion provided a dynamic space for direct engagement with a distinguished group of academics, experts, specialists, and those interested in security affairs, opening the way for the exchange of perspectives and ideas in a highly competitive international environment. She added that participation helped expand TRENDS’ network of research relations and partnerships, open new channels for distribution and outreach, and provide valuable opportunities to explore the latest trends in security and technology.
