JADS appoints Ana Barros as endowed professor for chair in subversive crime

The appointment is for a period of four years. Ana Barros succeeds Pieter Tops, who held the chair for the past four years. The chair is funded by the Province of North Brabant, RIEC Oost-Brabant, RIEC Zeeland West-Brabant, the Municipality of Tilburg and the Ministry of Justice and Security.

About Ana Barros

Ana Barros brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in the field of anticipatory intelligence and the use of data science and artificial intelligence in fighting crime and increasing the resilience of society. She is currently an Applied Research Professor in Intelligence at the Police Academy and Principal Scientist at TNO. Her research focuses on developing methods and models to stay one step ahead of criminal organizations and develop smart interventions.

Ana Barros received her PhD from Erasmus University Rotterdam in 1995 after completing her masters in Statistics and Mathematical Decision Sciences. Her passion for scientific research and the process of transferring knowledge brought her to the Netherlands Organization for Applied Natural Science Research (TNO). There she has worked as Principal Scientist since 1997. She is also affiliated with the Institute for Advanced Study at the University of Amsterdam and the Knowledge Center for Crime Management, Intelligence and Investigation of the Politieacademie. At JADS, she works one day a week.

Role of data science in fighting subversive crime

Within the Center for the Study of Organized and Subversive Crime, Ana Barros will lead a broad research program focusing on the role of AI and data science in fighting subversive crime. This program explores the possibilities and limitations of AI in combating organized crime and increasing the resilience of society. The research includes identifying patterns and anomalies inherent in subversive activities. This allows early detection of emerging subversive trends so that timely interventions (not only repressive ones) can be identified. Given the resilience of subversive crime, the potential of AI to deal with this resilience in an effective and sustainable manner will also be explored.

Working smarter and more efficiently through data-driven work

The collaboration between JADS and the founding parties of this endowed chair aims to gain new insights and make operations smarter and more efficient through data-driven work. The knowledge from the research program will contribute to maintaining public order and combating subversive crime.

The founding parties welcome the arrival of Ana Barros and express their deep appreciation for the work and achievements of her predecessor Pieter Tops, who will soon step down