Why Trusted Research Matters Now
Research thrives on openness and collaboration—values that remain at the heart of academic discovery. Yet, as the global research landscape evolves, these principles must be balanced with vigilance. New security frameworks and regulations are emerging across the UK, Europe, North America, and beyond. Far from restricting innovation, these measures are designed to protect it.
At the University of Bath, we are committed to helping our researchers navigate this complex environment. Trusted Research principles and export control compliance are not obstacles; they are essential tools for building secure, sustainable partnerships. By embedding these practices into our work, we safeguard the integrity of our research and ensure that international collaboration continues to flourish.
In this blog, Dale Topley explores why Trusted Research matters more than ever—examining rising state threats, global security measures, and practical steps such as export control compliance that enable safe and successful collaboration.
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Sarah
The MI5 Director General Ken McCallum’s annual threat update on 16 October 2025 included a statement which should make the research community sit up and pay attention:
“In the last year we’ve seen a 35% increase in the number of individuals we’re investigating for involvement in state threat activity. That means espionage, including against our Parliament, our universities, our critical infrastructure.”
The fact that universities are mentioned front and center is significant. It reinforces why an awareness of Trusted Research principles is so important.
Global Shifts in Research Security
Research security is no longer a niche concern; it is shaping global research policy. For UK researchers, these developments mean proactive compliance is essential to sustain international partnerships.
Outside of the UK, ‘Trusted Research’ is referred to as ‘Research Security’. Aligning with the impression given by the MI5 Director General’s update, there have been several recent developments that highlight the tightening landscape for research and innovation:
- EU Export Control Updates: The EU has expanded its dual-use control list to cover emerging technologies including quantum computing, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, advanced materials, and peptide synthesizers. These changes reflect growing concerns about the misuse of cutting-edge science. This follows the update we shared last year covering updates to the UK’s Export Control Lists.
- UK Export Control Amendments: The UK has introduced new regulations to align with international commitments and EU changes, updating controls on emerging technologies and dual-use goods.
- International Action on ‘Research Security’:
- The European Commission announced measures to embed research security into law via the forthcoming European Research Area Act, alongside a new European Centre of Expertise on Research Security and a due diligence platform for international collaboration.
- The UK–U.S. Memorandum of Understanding strengthens cooperation on strategic technologies, including AI, quantum, and civil nuclear research. The agreement included commitment to collaborate on Research Security.
- In Canada, the Council of Canadian Academies published Balancing Research Security and Open Science, calling for adaptive safeguards while maintaining openness.
These signals point to a global consensus: research security is now a core component of responsible international collaboration.
Understanding State Threats
The statements from security services and international developments cited above are not in response to purely theoretical threats.
Coventry University’s report from February 2025, State Threats and Universities: Case Studies from the United Kingdom, provides sobering insights. It documents real incidents where UK universities faced risks from state actors ranging from subtle attempts to access sensitive data to more overt geopolitical pressures.
One case study highlights how a UK university faced pressure to share controlled research data with an overseas partner, prompting an urgent review of export control obligations to prevent unlawful transfer of sensitive technology
The case studies underline the importance of proactive risk management and informed decision-making.
Collaboration in a Risk-Aware World
Balancing openness with security is challenging, but it is the only way to maintain trust and progress in global research.
Despite these risks, international collaboration remains vital, especially in emerging technologies where progress depends on global partnerships. The UK government reaffirmed this in its recent Joint Commission meeting with China, emphasising that the UK remains open and highly international, while applying a risk-aware approach to partnerships.
But collaboration must be safe and compliant. The MI5 Director General’s statement highlighted that, when addressing this new era of state threats:
“This is where MI5’s National Protective Security Authority, or NPSA, comes in.”
The NPSA Trusted Research Agenda highlights a range of tools that researchers must engage with to keep their research safe.
One key tool is strict adherence to Export Control laws, which help researchers navigate complex international relationships responsibly. This blog post will end by highlighting the relevant university support available.
Export Control Support
To support safe collaboration, we provide:
- University Policy and Checklist Tool: This policy sets out the expectations of university researchers and includes a useful tool to assess activity for export control implications.
- Compliance Support: The Trusted Research Manager is available to provide support for all export control queries.
- Ethics@Bath Review Process: Information collected in ethics applications is assessed for export control implications. Please engage early.
- Travel Support and Guidance:
- See guidance pages on ‘International travel for staff and students on University business’ and ‘Overseas travel safety guidance’.
- Request a Travel Loan Device. Taking a blank device when travelling is the safest way to ensure that inadvertent exports do not occur.
- Training:
- The University Research Integrity Training includes a module on ‘Research Security’ and on ‘International Collaboration’. This training is provided by UKRIO (the UK Research Integrity Organisation) and is mandatory for all Bath researchers.
- Open House Presentation Recordings can be accessed on the portal. Relevant sessions include ‘Trusted Research, Export Control and NSI Act’, ‘University Due Diligence Process for Research’, ‘International Travel - managing risks for researchers’, ‘UK Export Control - Licences’.
- The Higher Education Export Control Association (HEECA) provide an excellent online training via an online module. Contact Research-Governance@bath.ac.uk to request access. This takes under 1 hour and covers the fundamentals of UK Export Controls for researchers.
Export control compliance is not a barrier; it is an enabler. By addressing risks at the outset, it creates the conditions for secure, vetted collaborations to proceed with confidence. These measures allow us to maintain the openness that drives discovery while ensuring sensitive research is protected from misuse. In a world where MI5 reports a 35% rise in state threat investigations, compliance is more than a legal obligation. It is a practical tool that safeguards our research and values while enabling international partnerships to thrive.
If you have questions or need support, contact Research-Governance@bath.ac.uk today. Let’s work together to keep research open, collaborative, and secure.
