Methods used in human security research can include qualitative interviews, fieldwork, case studies, quantitative data analysis, and policy evaluation, depending on the issue being studied.
A key feature of human security research is its emphasis on local Human Security Research perspectives. Instead of relying only on national or international viewpoints, researchers engage with the people directly affected by insecurity. This ensures that proposed solutions are contextually relevant and culturally grounded. Human security research also promotes collaboration between governments, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and communities to address complex and interconnected global challenges.
Ultimately, human security research aims to advance human rights, support sustainable development, and create environments in which individuals and communities can thrive. By focusing on human needs, vulnerabilities, and potentials, it provides a comprehensive framework for understanding modern security challenges and designing policies that prioritize human well-being over traditional power-based security approaches.
Quantitative methods are also used, especially in studies that examine large-scale trends such as migration, conflict, or climate-related risks. Regardless of method, the emphasis is on capturing the lived experiences of people and communities, especially those who are marginalized or vulnerable. This grounded approach allows human security research to identify social injustices and structural inequalities that traditional security frameworks may overlook.
Human security research is highly interdisciplinary. It draws from fields such as political science, sociology, public health, anthropology, economics, and environmental studies. This interdisciplinary lens is vital, because threats to human security rarely exist in isolation.
For instance, climate change can lead to environmental degradation, which in turn can cause food insecurity, displacement, and conflict.