Living Labs in Action: Exploring surveillance practices in public gatherings across europe

The GATHERINGS project takes a unique approach to understanding surveillance at public gatherings through its Living Labs in Austria, Bulgaria, and Greece. These real-world experimental environments allow researchers to work directly with citizens, law enforcement, event organisers, and vulnerable groups to explore how surveillance is perceived, experienced, and debated in different local contexts.

Rather than studying public surveillance from a distance, the Living Labs bring diverse voices into the conversation. Through focus groups, interviews, on-site observations, and surveys, the labs highlight how different technologies—like CCTV, drones, and AI—affect people’s sense of safety and freedom in spaces like protests, concerts, and sports events.

The findings reveal that surveillance is not one-size-fits-all. While some people see cameras as reassuring, others view them as intrusive, especially when there is little transparency about who is watching and why. Vulnerable communities often face added risks, including over-surveillance and biased treatment, calling attention to the need for inclusive and ethical security practices.

The Living Labs are more than research sites, they are co-creation spaces where citizens and professionals can shape future surveillance policies together. This grassroots, participatory model helps ensure that safety measures respect rights, reflect local needs, and foster public trust.

Discover more here!
And if you are curious, dive into the videos of the Living Labs representatives.