While research excellence thrives on open collaboration, concern is rising about security, reciprocity, and potential dual-use applications. The Guild acknowledges these concerns, nevertheless we stress that measures to mitigate risks must not thwart our ambitions to address pressing global challenges. Any risks of international collaboration must be balanced with the risks of non-collaboration. We advocate for an approach that enhances trust, understanding and collaboration between researchers, universities, and public authorities.
The key points from our statement are as follows:
1. Academic freedom and institutional autonomy: Risk mitigation must not contravene academic freedom or principles underpinning research excellence. The freedom to establish international collaborations is an essential aspect of academic freedom, and institutional autonomy provides the space for academic self-regulation.
2. Relationship between governments and researchers: Public authorities should foster trust and collaboration with researchers because effective, well-balanced risk assessment relies upon expertise.
3. Transparency: Researchers must be provided with transparent, up-to-date information on potential concerns in international collaboration.
4. Long-term strategy: Governments and universities must adopt a long-term, holistic, and strategic approach to responsible internationalisation.
5. Institutional peer learning: A research culture that can address ever-changing research activities and threats must be fostered through exchange of knowledge, experiences, and best practices among peers.
Ole Petter Ottersen, Acting Secretary-General of The Guild said: "If we were ever in doubt, the COVID-19 pandemic showed that international research cooperation is crucial. Exchange of information between scientists from all over the world was a cornerstone in our response to the pandemic. Undue restrictions on the global exchange of ideas and knowledge would have denied societies the capacity to respond effectively. We should all be reminded of the risk of not collaborating internationally. In an interconnected world, open exchange of information is essential and key to national security."
9 November 2023