Balancing Research Security and Open Science for Dual-Use Research of Concern

Summary

Through its commitment to open science, the Government of Canada facilitates the sharing of research that tackles our most complex societal challenges. However, the practice of open science must consider research security—not only to guard against espionage or information theft, but to protect against uses of civilian research that might undermine Canadian interests.

Dual-use research of concern (DURC) refers to information, products, and processes that are intended to serve the public interest, but may be exploited to jeopardize public health, safety, or security. Researchers in Canada require strategies for the proactive identification and ongoing management of DURC, to honour open-science principles and to safeguard critical information throughout the Canadian research system.

This assessment will examine approaches to identifying and protecting DURC, to support the development of policies and strategies that promote research security while balancing open science and innovation priorities.

Sponsor

Defence Research and Development Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada, with nine supporting departments

A multidisciplinary expert panel drawn from academia, the private sector, and the research community will be convened in the coming months.

 

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