Research security in Europe: Balancing policy with practice

Europe’s research ecosystem is built on openness—but that openness is increasingly being tested. A range/mix of internal and external factors, from varying national priorities to shifting geopolitical dynamics, have elevated research security from a peripheral concern to an institutional imperative. Many governments are no longer treating knowledge protection and international cooperation as separate agendas. As a consequence, scientific organisations and service providers are being obliged to adapt to a more restrictive legal and political context within which they pursue their missions.    

 Against this backdrop, on May 28 Digital Science, in media partnership with Science|Business, will convene a high-level online debate on the ‘state of the art’ in research security policy and practice across Europe. Featuring speakers from the Central European Institute of Asian Studies (CEIAS), the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres, Digital Science and the Institute for Security and Development Policy, this session will explore how different countries and institutions are approaching this evolving and pressing challenge.

 In particular, the webinar will examine the current landscape and discuss potential future policy directions to protect Europe’s research strength without compromising its core values. With EU and national directives constantly evolving, effective research security requires a shift in mindset from reactive damage control to proactive risk management, including the ‘smart’ implementation of digital technologies and systems within the institution. As a case in point, the integration of AI solutions into compliance workflows holds great potential to not only improve security, but also create transparency and reduce data silos.