Research Security and Compliance
Managing research partnerships, risks, and regulatory obligations to support secure, ethical, and compliant research.
Research at 91成人 is increasingly collaborative, global, and multidisciplinary, requiring careful consideration of the risks and responsibilities associated with partnerships, projects, and jurisdictions. Engagement with external organisations whether domestic or international must be undertaken responsibly and in alignment with institutional values.
Researchers are expected to comply with University policies, national security requirements, and applicable Australian laws and regulatory frameworks, while identifying and managing potential risks throughout the research lifecycle.
91成人 maintains internal processes, tools and systems to manage research security and compliance risks, including structured risk assessment and due diligence processes.
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Research Partnerships Due Diligence
Research partnerships are central to delivering collaborative and high鈥慽mpact outcomes. To ensure these partnerships are established responsibly, researchers must consider ethical implications, partner suitability and potential risks from the earliest stages of engagement.
The ethical decision-making and due diligence processes support informed, transparent and accountable research practices, and form a critical part of the University鈥檚 broader research security and compliance framework.
Ethical decision鈥憁aking underpins all research activity and is supported by a structured framework that guides researchers in assessing the broader impacts of their work, partner alignment and responsible conduct across the research lifecycle.
Appropriate due diligence helps researchers assess prospective research partners and identify potential risks before entering a research collaboration. This includes consideration of partner affiliations, collaboration risks and jurisdictional factors.
International engagements can introduce additional risks and obligations where foreign partners, funding, cross鈥慴order data or sensitive technologies are involved. Enhanced due diligence supports identification and management of legal, regulatory and security risks.
Request a formal due diligence review of a prospective research partner to support informed, risk-based decisions regarding research collaborations.
National Security Legislation and Regulatory Requirements
Research increasingly operates in a complex regulatory environment where international collaboration, emerging technologies, data sharing and engagement with external partners may give rise to obligations under Australian national security legislation.
These laws help protect Australia's national interests, critical technologies, defence capabilities and critical infrastructure while enabling responsible international research collaboration. Depending on the nature of the research, the technology involved, the collaborators engaged, or the countries and organisations involved, researchers may be required to meet specific legislative requirements before certain activities can proceed.
91成人 provides guidance and support to help researchers identify and manage these obligations, ensuring research is conducted securely, responsibly and in compliance with Australian law.
Certain international research collaborations, agreements and institutional partnerships may require assessment and notification to the Australian Government under the Foreign Arrangements Scheme.
Activities undertaken on behalf of foreign principals that seek to influence government or political processes in Australia may trigger registration obligations.
Australian sanctions laws may restrict research collaborations, technology transfers, funding arrangements and other engagements involving certain countries, entities or individuals.
Research involving controlled goods, technologies, software or technical assistance may require assessment and, in some cases, an export permit before activities can proceed.
Certain defence-related expertise, training or work undertaken with foreign military organisations may require authorisation under Australian law.
Research involving critical and emerging technologies may have strategic, security or economic significance and, in some circumstances, may be considered sensitive. Additional due diligence, risk management and compliance requirements may apply, particularly in international collaborations.
Research relevant to Australia's critical infrastructure sectors may have national security implications and require additional risk management, monitoring and mandatory reporting requirements.
Foreign Interference in Research
Foreign interference refers to covert, deceptive or coercive activities undertaken by, or on behalf of, foreign actors that may seek to influence research, gain access to sensitive information, or undermine academic freedom.
91成人 supports open, collaborative and internationally engaged research while promoting awareness of potential risks associated with research travel, visiting researchers, delegations and international partnerships. The University adopts a risk-based approach informed by the to help researchers identify, manage and respond to potential foreign interference risks.
Foreign interference may involve attempts to improperly influence research activities, access sensitive information or exploit research relationships. Understanding common indicators and reporting pathways helps protect research, researchers and the University.
International research travel can create opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange and professional development. Researchers should consider information security, device security and potential risks associated with sharing research, data or expertise before, during and after travel.
Visiting researchers and academic appointees contribute to research excellence and collaboration but may require access to research environments, systems and information. Clear governance arrangements, defined access and appropriate oversight support secure and effective engagements.
Research-related visits by external delegations may provide valuable opportunities for engagement and collaboration. Appropriate planning, access controls and clear expectations help ensure visits are conducted securely and within scope.
Research Risk Management
Managing research security risks is an ongoing process that supports safe, compliant and responsible research throughout the project lifecycle. 91成人 provides a structured approach to help researchers identify, assess and manage risks associated with partnerships, activities, data and regulatory obligations.
This process aligns with national guidance and funding requirements (including ) and supports consistent risk-informed decision-making across research activities.
Researchers are also required to declare and manage any real or potential conflicts of interest (COI) related to research partnerships and activities on the as per the University鈥檚 .
Education and Support
Training and resources to support awareness and capability development in research security and compliance are available.
Contact
For further advice and support, please contact Research Integrity and Compliance team at Research.Compliance@westernsydney.edu.au