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How can research institutions remain open and collaborative while responding to growing security risks? What threats does research face today? And how can the agenda of research security be effectively implemented at both institutional and governmental levels? These questions were at the heart of an international conference hosted by Charles University at the historic building of Carolinum in Prague.
The event, organized by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation, brought together representatives of universities, research organisations, and public institutions from fourteen countries across Central and Eastern Europe as well as universities and government institutions from North America, all sharing expertise in the field of research security.
The conference focused on a challenge increasingly faced by universities and research institutions worldwide: how to safeguard research and innovation in an increasingly complex international environment.
“Universities today are expected to remain open and collaborative. At the same time, we face many risks: foreign interference, misuse of research results, and attempts to exploit academic openness,” said Charles University Rector Professor Milena Králíčková. “This creates a tension that many of us experience in practice. At Charles University, we believe this is a false dilemma. Protecting research is not about limiting academic freedom. On the contrary, it is about protecting the conditions that make academic freedom sustainable in the long term.”
A key aim of the conference was to share concrete, practical experience. While research security frameworks are well developed in some countries, in others the topic is still emerging. The programme therefore emphasised real-world case studies, institutional risk management, and dialogue between researchers, research security officers, and government stakeholders.
According to Charles University Vice-Rector Věra Jourová, trust is a fundamental prerequisite for international scientific cooperation. “Our researchers participate in many international projects, including 23 ERC grants,” she noted. “Such cooperation depends on trust among partners and on their shared ability to protect research and sensitive knowledge.” She also highlighted the broader European context, pointing out that EU investments in research increasingly go hand in hand with investments in research protection and security.
The importance of shared standards and responsibility was echoed by international guests. The United States Ambassador to the Czech Republic Nicholas Merrick stressed that international scientific cooperation is essential but must be underpinned by confidence that partners are equally committed to protecting research. As stewards of innovation, researchers and institutions carry a significant responsibility in this regard.
Throughout the conference, participants discussed topics ranging from foreign interference tactics and due diligence processes to building a common transatlantic approach to research security. Sessions were designed to foster open discussion and mutual learning across different national and institutional contexts.
As one of the conference speakers, Glenn Tiffert, observed, strategic principles and policy documents are only the starting point. “The words are beautiful,” he said, “but they are only words until we find a way to apply them in our institutions.”
The conference concluded with a shared understanding that protecting research and innovation is not in conflict with academic openness, but rather a necessary condition for maintaining trust, international cooperation, and academic freedom in the long term.
TEXT: Tereza Vrublová
PHOTO: Michal Novotný