Sharing and Protecting Data Archive

On 15 June, the ALLEA Task Forces on Integrating Research Security and Academic Freedom and on Protecting and Sharing Data held hybrid meetings in London, hosted by the Royal Society and King’s College London.

The meeting brought together 17 experts – virtually and in person – to navigate the increasingly complex intersections of Open Science, institutional safety, and geopolitical pressures in rapidly changing research environments.

During the morning sessions, the Task Force on Integrating Research Security and Academic Freedom evaluated the rise of government oversight over federally funded research. Members of the task force contrasted prescriptive international regulations with empowering, risk-management approaches. They analysed how economic security complicates national security definitions, and explored distinct disciplinary challenges, such as dual-use export controls in applied sciences versus transnational repression in the humanities.

In parallel, the Task Force on Protecting and Sharing Data discussed the responsible and resilient use of artificial intelligence (AI) in research, focusing on risks like commercial tool dependency and data poisoning (the intentional and malicious injection of corrupted, biased, or false information into an AI or machine learning model’s training dataset). They also addressed urgent European Commission consultations regarding Text and Data Mining (TDM) rights, open access frameworks, and the friction between the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and academic research. This task force is currently drafting a statement on generative AI and research integrity.

This was followed by a joint session, during which the task forces assessed strategic synergies, examining how data protection, trust, and transparency overlap with research security. Their dialogue emphasised that bolstering internal data security and collaboration is essential for protecting trust among researchers. They further concluded that better communication of the broad societal value of academic freedom is crucial for safeguarding public trust in science. To bridge their respective mandates and move their work forward, the task forces committed to ensuring a regular knowledge exchange.

On 19 January 2026, the inaugural meeting of the ALLEA Sharing and Protecting Data Task Force took place online. This Task Force will tackle the complex balance between open access to research data and the need for robust protection of privacy, security, and intellectual property rights. It aims to address sensitive fields such as health and biotechnology, where responsible data sharing is vital for scientific progress and societal benefit.

Bringing together experts in law, computer and social science, and data governance, the interdisciplinary group will examine how regulations such as the GDPR affect international collaboration and research data exchange. Its goal is to develop guidance and advocate for fair, secure, and transparent data-sharing policies that strengthen research integrity and mobility.

Operating to at least 2027, the Task Force will produce recommendations, engage with European and global partners, and contribute to shaping the European Research Area’s (ERA) policy agenda on open science. It builds on the successful work of the long-standing ALLEA Working Group on Intellectual Property Rights and activities promoting access to scientific information.

We thank all participants for a productive and inspiring first meeting!

Archive for category: Sharing and Protecting Data