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Since 2018, Schlicher has been working with several organizations responsible for keeping the Netherlands safe. His research relies heavily on game theory.
鈥淭his method allows us to explicitly include and model the strategic behavior of an opponent,鈥� Schlicher explains. 鈥淚t helps us make tactical and operational decisions that won鈥檛 play into an adversary鈥檚 hands.鈥�

Better protection and surveillance

For the Stelsel Bewaken en Beveiligen (the national protection and security system), he studies how to better protect individuals and locations that might be targets of threats. These include lawyers, scientists, diplomats, journalists, politicians, and judges 鈥� as well as government buildings, religious sites, and educational institutions.

The system is a collaboration between the Dutch police, the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, the NCTV, the Public Prosecutor鈥檚 Office, and the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD).

One of Schlicher鈥檚 PhD candidates, Sven de Ronde, is studying how to patrol more effectively 鈥� and less predictably 鈥� in cities such as The Hague, where embassies, ministries, and the Dutch Parliament are all located close together.
鈥淧atrol routes shouldn鈥檛 become too predictable, because adversaries could take advantage of that,鈥� says Schlicher.

A practical tool

Using game theory, the team builds models that help make patrol routes unpredictable. 鈥淲e started with two or three locations and one vehicle, so we could fully understand the model,鈥� Schlicher explains. 鈥淥nly then do we scale up to more complexity.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 hard to predict what challenges we鈥檒l face as we expand the model. But it would be fantastic if, four years from now, we have a decision-support tool that helps patrol officers move around unpredictably. Time will tell if that鈥檚 possible.鈥�

Smarter logistics in mission areas

Together with his colleague Rob Basten, Schlicher is also involved in a project funded by the European Defence Fund (EDF) that aims to make logistics chains in mission areas more efficient. One of the questions they explore is whether 3D printing could help by allowing spare parts for military vehicles to be produced on-site.

鈥淲e鈥檙e working with partners from several European countries 鈥� including France, Denmark, and Spain,鈥� says Schlicher. 鈥淥ur partners focus on the technical side: how to print advanced components. We, in turn, look at how to integrate those components into the logistics chain. It鈥檚 exciting to see these two worlds come together.鈥�

A sense of purpose

鈥淭he research I do in the field of national security helps make surveillance smarter and protection systems stronger 鈥� so people can live and work safely,鈥� Schlicher says. 鈥淭hat way, I can truly make a difference for our country. That gives me a great sense of purpose.鈥�