United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research’s Post

✅ Video that is addressing Scientific freedom and research security, scientific freedom which is under threat in ERA … ✅ Its role in innovation, and strategies to safeguard research security are reviewed by panelists from Europe during last conference ‘European Research Area: Fostering Greater Integration. Advancing Competitiveness.’ that took place in Brussels (September 2024). https://lnkd.in/evfWjJwj ✅ How to advance the European Research Area was the focus of more 1000 specialists … ✅ Key advances were signed including the funding agreement on the Research and Innovation Careers Observatory (ReICO) that groups European Commission and OECD-OCDE as well as the exhibition of 18 Horizon-Europe funded projects as well as the exhibition of 18 Horizon-Europe funded projects contributing to achieving a single market for research and innovation … European Commission European Space Agency - ESA Horizon Europe OECD-OCDE Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche Direction générale de la recherche et de l'innovation (DGRI) Direction générale de l'enseignement supérieur et de l'insertion professionnelle (Dgesip) DGA - Direction générale de l'armement DGRIS - Direction générale des relations internationales et de la stratégie CNRS Inria CEA CEA Tech Université Gustave Eiffel Cosys Département Institut de recherche stratégique de l'Ecole militaire (IRSEM) IRSN #sciencediplomacy #scientificfreedom #EUresearch https://lnkd.in/eUaYTqzv

Transatlantic research security: A huge challenge—but also a great opportunity. The question is not if we can reconcile academic freedom with national security, the question is how. In an era of rapid technological advancement and global interconnectedness, research security has emerged as a critical concern for transatlantic partnerships. Especially important is setting the right balance between openness and security for fundamental research that has traditionally been unrestricted and published in the open literature. Multifaceted challenges and opportunities shape the landscape of transatlantic research security today. Robust and resilient research ecosystems across the Atlantic depend on safeguarding intellectual property, fostering secure and transparent collaborations, and addressing geopolitical tensions and the threats of dual use and weaponization of research. The evolving geopolitical landscape and the rise of cyber and other threats necessitate a proactive approach to research security that is developed in close coordination between governments and the research community. We must tackle this issue with a transatlantic perspective. And we did just that today, with our guests Muriel Helbig, President of Technische Universität Lübeck and Vice President of DAAD German Academic Exchange Service, Jan Lüdert, Ph.D., Head of Programs, German Center for Research and Innovation (DWIH) New York, and E William (Bill) Colglazier, Senior Scholar and Editor-in-Chief, Science&Diplomacy, AAAS Center Center for Science Diplomacy, and American Friends of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Board Chair. Thank you for stopping by and for a great meeting. Let’s continue the conversation! Next stops: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - German Research Foundation Roundtable on transatlantic research security in DC and then off to the German Academic International Network (GAIN) 2024 conference in San Francisco. See you in California! Alexander von Humboldt Foundation #researchsecurity #sciencediplomacy

Research Methodology Course on the CSDP 3-5 April 2024, Piraeus Greece The course is organised by the Department of International and European Studies, University of Piraeus in cooperation with the ESDC Doctoral School. It aims to attract PhD Fellows from the EU's member states researching CFSP/CSDP issues. It consists of three parts: Lectures, Research Methodology Seminars and Workshops. Lectures by experts from the ESDC, EAAS/EU bodies, Civilian and Military missions and academics will frame various topics and dimensions on the evolution of the CSDP and the role of the EU institutions. Speakers will touch upon contemporary developments and issues which are or could become threats to the security and stability of the EU. In particular, matters such as the CSDP and crises in the EU's neighborhood, including the Ukrainian crisis and Middle East conflicts, will be explored vis-a-vis the EU's strategic autonomy, and its intention to become a plausible autonomous provider of security and defence. Moreover, the emerging complex governance architecture of the CFSP/CSDP will be examined on the basis of the new institutional developments that have taken place in the past decade, and the various dimensions of the integrated approach (civilian, military,economic, environmental, Al and technological, etc.). Express your interest by e-mail to: asderaki@unipi.gr; ntarzanosnikolaos@gmail.com; enver.ferhatovic@eeas.europa.eu

Research security is a pivotal issue in today's interconnected world, demanding a delicate balance between academic freedom and national security. Yesterday, we had a productive discussion on this topic with leading experts Muriel Helbig Christian Hänel Jan Lüdert, Ph.D. E William (Bill) Colglazier. Looking forward to continuing these important conversations at upcoming events! Alexander von Humboldt Foundation #researchsecurity #sciencediplomacy

CNRS position paper on FP10 : "European RI’s are innovative and unique research tools for the European scientific communities. They are not only pillars of fundamental science: they play a crucial role in supporting collaborative research, technological innovation and European scientific sovereignty. In addition, they are powerful economic drivers in European regions." "FP10 should set support to European Research Infrastructures (RI’s) as a top priority, maintaining their highest technological level and promoting access to them – to attract more talents to the EU" #FP10 #RIs #researchinfrastructures #sovereignity #collaborativeresearch #innovation

E-governance is changing how local services are provided by using digital tools to facilitate access, increase transparency, and encourage local innovation. This shift helps regions better meet the needs of their communities, reduce administrative obstacles, and promote economic growth. The recently published EURASHE position paper acknowledges the value of developing robust innovation systems to ensure that public services keep up with technology and help regions become more resilient and competitive. Here are some key thoughts to remember: ➡️ Europe needs to boost its ability to innovate to compete globally. This means investing in digital technologies to improve public services. By making public services more digital, Europe can better protect its independence and ensure that people across the region can access secure, high-quality digital solutions. ➡️  It's essential to create strong and interconnected research and innovation ecosystems. This means bringing together different groups, such as applied science, industries, and local communities, to turn research into practical solutions. These ecosystems can help regional economies grow and benefit society by applying knowledge to real-life problems. ➡️ It's crucial to balance basic research and its practical applications to address the "Innovation Valley of Death." By focusing on both types of research, we can ensure that Europe's scientific discoveries can be effectively translated into innovations that fuel sustainable economic development and public benefit. 👉 Please find the paper accessible here: https://lnkd.in/dyFf33Rn #DigitalPublicServices #InnovationForAll #ResearchAndInnovation #InnovationEcosystem #Egovernance

James Laurenceson sets out his criticisms of Andrew Horton’s article on foreign interference in Australias universities. Both these professionals - as experts in their respective fields and whom I admire, approaching the topic from different angles - make some insightful points, but they are also both missing different yet crucial nuance in the argument. Firstly, Norton’s public discussion of #researchsecurity is not “ill-informed”, and is not ignorant of the wider context. He lists a lot of things Australia ISN’T doing, most of which are externalities to the university enterprise (like legislation). Research security is also about MORE than just foreign interference - it’s to cover securing against a wide variety of national security threats. Our UFIT guidelines - which are supposed to be our shield against those threats - are well out of date. Secondly, as Hames says our #universities are trying their hardest, but they are hamstrung by a lack of policy guidance and resourcing. In The Group of Eight universities, institutions might be fortunate to have teams of people handling this kind of risk. In smaller or regional universities, it’s often up to one or two people, who have broad portfolios of other jobs too. Thirdly, the agencies in our National Intelligence Community are superstars at what they do, but they’re hampered by strict #secrecy laws about what they can tell universities. I’m pleased the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor has just recommended a mass overhaul of secrecy laws, but the government is yet to confirm if they will do so. If you look at the United Kingdom for example, they established the Research Collaborative Advice Team, a part of the intelligence services who can share some protected information with universities under threat, and give tailored advice on what to do. Here in Australia, ASIO can’t really do the same. And lastly, one of the biggest unspoken risks to uni research is the #funding. Because the Australian government only spends about 0.8%-1% of our GDP on university research - well below the 3-4% that the EU does - our universities are more susceptible to big pots of money with strings attached. If the government actually paid what research costs, it could significantly reduce such external vulnerabilities. That said, irresponsible imposition of security controls - like blocking student visas for Chinese students, or banning research contracts arbitrarily - chill academic cooperation and act as de facto tools of censorship. What is needed is “responsible” and “robust” research security, where risks are properly addressed and only the most hazardous collaborations are stopped.

🌟 BRUSSEL HIGHLIGHTS This week, SWERI participated in the Science|Business Annual Conference, an important meeting place for actors in European research and innovation. The conference celebrated 40 years of the EU framework program and 20 years of the Science|Business network, but at the same time looked ahead to the upcoming framework program FP10. Some of the hot topics that was brought up and discussed were the balance between research and innovation, the budget of the upcoming FP10, the need for more private-public partnership, the role of associated countries in the governing of the FP, the future of the EIC and EIT agencies, and last, but not least, technological sovereignty and the potential inclusion of research and innovation on technologies with dual use potential (civil and military). Christian Ehler, lead MEP on the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), called on all stakeholders to contact their governments and argue for an ambitious budget for FP10. "For Europe to be at the forefront of global innovation, we need to invest more in research and development," Ehler said, stressing that the next framework program should receive a significant budget increase compared to current programs. 📙 In connection with the conference, Science|Business launched a report on the history, development and future of the framework programmes. See link: https://lnkd.in/dfQNEUH2 📣 Statement from international ministerial meeting calls for a roadmap to establish a common understanding of principles and values for international R&I cooperation  https://lnkd.in/dbu4swfu 📣 52 swedish based researchers recieved the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship https://lnkd.in/gXm-JnbQ

Research collaboration with Iran ? Nice. Is that done in partnership with the network of Confucius Institutes ? https://lnkd.in/gZ6JsZdH https://lnkd.in/gaTufJtR Are the same universities that had massive “data leakage” recently ? https://lnkd.in/gdzMsvwS https://lnkd.in/gDQ5xWgt https://lnkd.in/gykUUust Are these the same universities we want to share secret defence research with ? (Deep sigh).

I am pleased to announce that on the 16th of July 2024, I successfully completed my Master’s Degree in Global Security Studies: Environment, Energy And Conflicts at the University of Roma Tre, with a grade of 110 Cum Laude. The Master’s thesis I wrote and defended bears the title “The current Revolution in Intelligence Affairs (RIA) as an evolution of the RIA of the Nineties”. It presents a comparative analysis between the Revolution in Intelligence Affairs (RIA) that occurred between 1990 and 2013, due to the Information Technology Revolution (IT), and the so-called RIA currently underway, derived from the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). The objective of the study was to understand whether the transformations taking place in the current intelligence apparatuses truly represent a revolution compared to the previous two decades, or if it is rather an evolution. #strategicstudies #intelligencestudies #internationalrelations #globalsecurity