Research Security

As the global research landscape becomes more interconnected, new challenges emerge that require careful reflection and coordinated action. Questions surrounding research security, including the protection of knowledge, data, infrastructure, and people, have gained increasing urgency in recent years. 

For Europe’s academies, this topic is of particular relevance. Scientific work increasingly takes place in environments affected by geopolitical tensions, the rapid development of sensitive technologies, and the dual-use potential of many research outputs. Researchers and institutions must navigate complex regulatory environments while maintaining the openness and international collaboration that science depends on. At the same time, concerns about the safety of researchers and the integrity of research partnerships are growing, especially in politically unstable or restrictive contexts. 

These issues profoundly shape the daily work of scholars and research organisations. Contributions highlighted not only the opportunities inherent in global cooperation but also the risks posed by opaque partnerships, inadequate due-diligence mechanisms, and uneven standards of accountability.  It underscored the need for a balanced, evidence-informed approach that supports both openness and vigilance. As these debates gain momentum across Europe, ALLEA has become an important partner to the European Commission in the development of emerging legislation and policies on research security.

ALLEA contributes expertise in the European Research Area Forum by playing an active role in the ERA Policy Agenda Action on Research Security, provides comments and supports the implementation of regulations such as the framework of the Council Recommendation on research security.

Moreover, ALLEA helps shape the broader European policy conversation by co-organising the biannual European Flagship Conference on Research Security, a forum that convenes policymakers, researchers, and institutional leaders to discuss evolving challenges and good practices. 

Against this backdrop, ALLEA is committed to supporting its Member Academies as they navigate this evolving landscape. This includes facilitating exchange on best practices, contributing to European policy debates, and ensuring that measures to strengthen research security remain proportionate, transparent, conducive to scientific progress, and protect rather than limit academic freedom. 

To advance this work, ALLEA has established the Task Force on Integrating Research Security and Academic Freedom. This group brings together experts from across Europe to analyse emerging challenges, develop practical guidance, and explore how research security frameworks can be designed in ways that protect both knowledge and the values that underpin academic research.