Trusted Research and Innovation
Trusted Research and Innovation is a term used by the UK government and the research and innovation sector and aims to secure the integrity of the system of international collaboration, which is vital to the continued success of research and innovation in the UK.
It is particularly relevant to researchers in STEM subjects, dual-use technologies, emerging technologies and commercially sensitive research areas.
Advice and guidance materials
The Trusted Research advice and guidance has been produced by the UK’s National Protective Security Authority in consultation with the research and university community and is designed to help the UK's world-leading research and innovation sector get the most out of international scientific collaboration.
All University staff have a responsibility to reflect on their work and partnerships, including collaborators and funders, and to identify and mitigate the risks of hostile interference. As such they should ensure familiarity with the advice and guidance on how to protect research on the following website Trusted Research Guidance for Academic includes details to:
- Identify the potential risks and make informed decisions around those risks
- Conduct international collaborations confidently, safely, and securely
- Protect intellectual property, sensitive research, and personal information
- Protect research and staff from potential theft, misuse, and exploitation
UKRI has published its Trusted Research principles and any researchers funded by UKRI should make themselves familiar with these principles.
Assessment of partner suitability – ensuring that the University conducts due diligence on all of our partners to ensure we understand the level of risk involved in working with them
Managing information and knowledge sharing – ensuring we have robust measures in place to make sure that access to sensitive information and data is managed appropriately and that we know what information if being shared with overseas partners
Commercial application – collaboration agreements should be in place to ensure that sensitive data and any intellectual assets including IP rights arising from projects are appropriately managed, especially where there is the potential for future commercial outcomes. This included ensuring that export control licences are in place to transfer goods, technology and knowledge overseas where required.
See below for further information and guidance on the 3 main aspects of the University’s trusted research and innovation and national security support.