The Trusted Research Agenda is a government initiative to secure the integrity of the system of international research collaboration and innovation.
All universities are required by UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) to adhere to it. The Initiative spans a board range of areas, including:
- Partner suitability
- Managing data and cyber security
- Intellectual Property (IP)
- Commercialisation
- Export Control
The purpose of the Trusted Research Campaign is:
to raise awareness of the risks associated with research collaborations that involve organisations or research partners with links to nations whose democratic and ethical values are different from our own
Trusted Research is particularly relevant to STEM subject, dual-use technologies, emerging technologies and commercially sensitive research areas. However, we recommend that all Researchers familiarise themselves with this information.
The Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (ICPNI) - on behalf of the UK government - has published further details and guidance for academia surrounding the aims of Trusted Research, to safeguard the integrity of the system of international research collaboration. This in turn ensures the continued success of the UK’s research and innovation sector.
The Centre intends the Trusted Research Initiative to:
- Outline the potential risks to UK research and innovation
- Help researchers, UK universities and industry partners to have confidence in international collaboration and make informed decisions around those potential risks
- Explain how to protect research and staff from potential theft, misuse or exploitation