Trusted Research
The UK Government has developed Trusted Research Guidance to help UK academics and research organisations understand and manage the potential risks associated with international research collaboration.
Become familiar with Trusted Research.
Message from Vice-Provost (Research and Enterprise)
Imperial’s researchers drive forward powerful discoveries and developments, much of which are achieved in collaboration with both national and international partners. With overseas partners spanning more than 130 countries, Imperial is the UK’s most international university. As such, collaborating on a global scale responsibly is critical to protecting the UK’s national security while driving scientific advancements forward.
Imperial supports and nurtures a research environment that is defined by a culture of integrity, good governance and best practice. Research Security forms a crucial part of this. Imperial takes its responsibilities seriously and is committed to providing an environment that allows for the assessment and management of research security risks of both formal and informal collaborations, to protect the integrity of international collaboration and ensure our researchers are supported in carrying out their work safely, securely and in accordance with all relevant national laws, regulations and procedures.
These webpages provide detailed guidance on the key aspects of Research Security, the principles of Trusted Research and what support is available.
- Professor Mary Ryan, Vice-Provost (Research and Enterprise), Senior Responsibility Owner for Research Security.
Collaborating Securely
Research Security seeks to protect the resources available in the research base, including universities, from being accessed and misused by hostile state and non-state actors. Its purpose is to preserve the integrity of international collaboration across the sector without compromising national security, including by contributing to the advancement of non-aligned military capability, Weapons of Mass Destruction programmes, or human rights abuses.
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Research Security is a strategic priority for the UK Government. As part of this, the Government developed the “Trusted Research” campaign. Trusted Research brings together key areas of research security and related considerations required to assess the level of risk associated with partnering with international research collaborators and funders, and to manage these risks responsibly, without hindering scientific progress.
To support our staff and students at the University, a range of resources addressing Research Security and how to think critically about potential risks in new and existing international collaborations are available here.
This website provides insight into the Trusted Research campaign and guidance on relevant legislation, and sets out protective measures that may be appropriate for managing identified research security risks. The Research Security Team are currently developing further tools to help our community at Imperial understand and navigate Research Security, including a Trusted Research e-learning module due to launch soon.
