The Rural Security Research Group is an interdisciplinary team brought together at Harper Adams University to help identify and address emerging risks to the rural economy, food chain and society from such diverse global threats as crime, conflict, food chain fraud and malfeasance. 

The team is comprised of staff with a variety of skills and experience across the criminal justice sector, social science, criminology, civil-military co-operation and land management. The team are active in both research and advisory roles to a range of institutions and are supported by a number of national and international sponsors.

The Rural Security Research Group offers a point of contact for information, advice and expertise, highlighting and demonstrating best practice within the rural community and beyond.

The group has a wide range of interests but currently members are focused on counterfeit pesticides, farm crime and prevention, rural domestic violence and modern slavery in agriculture. 

The Rural Security Research Group aims to promote and support a range of activities in areas of current and emerging interest in the area of rural security and is active in three main areas: conducting high-quality research, contributing to policy debate and the provision of training.