FIDIS is a project to be developed under the European Union’s Framework 6 programme for Research and Development.

FIDIS examines the characteristics of interoperable identity management systems from the technical, policy, legal and socio-cultural perspectives. It look at the limits on identity systems designed for one purpose being used for other purposes (inter-purpose interoperability: e-government, e-health, e-commerce systems), and sees the role of the market in generating interoperability (interplay of governmental regulation, self-regulation and no regulation: cross-border and cross-sector comparisons).

Working together with the 15 institutions in the FIDIS project will be the core vehicle for how we pursue much of this agenda. Framework 6 is designed mainly to fund integrative and disseminatory activity so our style of researching will be have to be to integrate closely with our colleagues in Europe. Already the Centre has the responsibility to organise two of the key activities, around forensics and interoperability, within the FIDIS work and we will be organising FIDIS events as part of the programme of work. Another important method will be the creation and editing of a journal aimed at the FIDIS agenda, which will be based at the LSE and in the Centre. The journal was originally suggested by the Centre representatives to offer high visibility to the work of the project and is now seen as a central part of the overall proposal.