The boards of governors of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Ghent University have approved a framework agreement that allows for a structural and far-reaching cooperation between both institutions. An Alliance research group brings together at least 6 researchers from UGent and from VUB (and possibly also from their association partners). These researchers are active around a common research line.

SVA focuses on criminological research on 'social security'. Socially, on the one hand, refers to the selection and settlement strategies used by the actors in the criminal justice system and in other areas involved in crime issues. The importance of both discourse and practice in these strategies is important in this regard. On the other hand, the experience, visions and experience of the citizens and users are addressed with regards to selection and handling. More generally, attention is paid to the redistribution issue of security in our society. The security problem is not the same for everyone; The unequal distribution of power, income, social and cultural capital undermines the guarantees of the rule of law on equal rights. Social inequality becomes, for example. reproduced within the sphere of security.