Training & Development

‘Trusted Research’ (TR) is a term used by the UK research and innovation sector to describe how we support the integrity of international research collaboration and ensure that research is kept safe and secure.

The Trusted Research agenda:

• Outlines the potential risks to UK research and innovation
• Helps researchers, UK universities and industry partners to have confidence in international collaboration and make informed decisions around those risks
• Explains how to protect research and staff from potential theft, misuse or exploitation

It is particularly relevant to researchers in STEM subjects, dual-use technologies, emerging technologies and commercially sensitive research areas.

Why is TR important?

Whilst the benefits of international research collaboration are recognised, collaboration also creates potential for national security interests to be breached. It is therefore critical that researchers understand the possible risks. All researchers have a responsibility to protect their research and should take appropriate steps to do so through due diligence, IT security, careful information management and understanding the relevant legislation (including export controls). The measures put in place should be proportionate to the risk.

Export Controls

To protect national interests, governments control the export of some materials, technologies and information. These export control measures apply to research, and describe how exports (including knowledge, data, IP or intellectual assets) are to be controlled and the risks mitigated.

How can I learn more about TR? (essential prior to international collaboration)

• Watch this short introduction to Trusted Research (2 mins).
• Familiarise yourself with the NPSA Trusted Research Guidance for Academia.
• Complete our Trusted Research (TR) online learning, available via LearnUpon. This consists of an introductory module (mandatory), plus a further advanced module that delves deeper into the core principles that underpin TR.
• Complete this specific elearning for more on Export Controls: Training Login - HEECA (please contact Becky Green for a login).

You might also find it helpful to:

• Use this Trusted Research collaboration checklist to help you evaluate research proposals and assess the risk of a collaboration .
• Review the UKRI Trusted Research and Innovation Principles to ensure due diligence.