What should I do if I'm concerned?
Every university will have different oversight arrangements for research activities. Many aspects of research and academic activity are devolved to a local level, for example, to an Executive Dean, Head of Department, Director of Research, or to an individual principal investigator (PI). There is a delicate balance for the university in protecting academic freedoms whilst trying to improve visibility of issues such as cumulative risk of investment (where the institution becomes overly dependent on single sources of funding). Where you identify concerns around a potential collaboration - ethics committees or university governance boards may be the appropriate bodies to consider the balance of risks for the organisation.
What guidance is available?
There is a range of information available from across our professional services:
Research & Innovation: due diligence, research integrity, intellectual property, collaboration agreements
Legal & Compliance: General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Export Controls, National Security and Investment Act (NSIA) & Conflicts of Interest
Human Resources: Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)
Information Systems & Technology: Cyber Security
Health & Safety: Travel & Fieldwork Safety
External guidance
National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) resources:
Countries and Conferences Guide
Short films showcasing Trusted Research:
- Case study 1: Reputational risk
- Case study 2: National Security Investment
- Case study 3: Intellectual Property
- Trusted Research
Implementation Scenario videos:
1. Authoritarian Government scenario
2. Overseas presentation and Government approach scenario
3. University spin-out scenario
4. Identifying export controls and sanctions scenario
UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) has also provided guidance.
UK Research & Innovation
Trusted Research and Innovation
Trusted Research and Innovation Principles
UNIVERSITIES UK (UUK)
Managing risks in internationalisation – security related guidance
Key contacts within Schools for additional information:
School of Performing and Digital Arts - Professor Peter Richardson - peter.richardson@rhul.ac.uk
School of Business and Management - Professor Mark Lycett - mark.lycett@rhul.ac.uk
School of Humanities - Robert Eaglestone - r.eaglestone@rhul.ac.uk
School of Life Sciences and the Environment - Professor Martin King m.king@rhul.ac.uk
School of Law & Social Sciences - Professor Juan Pablo Rud - juan.rud@rhul.ac.uk
School of Engineering, Physical and Mathematical Sciences - Kostas Stathis - kostas.stathis@rhul.ac.uk
