Enhancing research security in Europe
European University Association input to the European Commission’s call for evidence on ‘Boosting research security in the EU’
Consistently applied research security policies, with a strong emphasis on open and responsible cooperation, should set the tone for policies regarding EU’s global role in research and education.
In its response to a European Commission call for evidence on ‘Boosting research security in the EU’, the European University Association welcomed proposals that are sound and conducive to responsible internationalisation, within Europe’s broader economic security strategy and the aim of open strategic autonomy.
In this policy input, EUA highlights that Europe’s universities are by nature internationally-oriented institutions that recognise and manage the challenges to security, ethics and integrity that are inherent in their global activities. Moreover, it is vital for Europe’s standing in the international research community that central values regarding academic freedom, universities’ institutional autonomy, ethics and integrity are upheld within the European research and education system.
Therefore, the document outlines how open cooperation should be the default option in research and education. As such, it addresses key considerations such as the principle of proportionality, the risk of non-cooperation, the importance of close dialogue between authorities, universities and the academic community, necessary support for developing and strengthening risk management within institutions, and the role that cooperation in research and education plays for building bridges and creating inter-cultural understanding.
