idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
idw - Informationsdienst
Wissenschaft
The Joint Committee on the Handling of Security-Relevant Research (GA) of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the German Research Foundation (DFG) advises the German science community in questions regarding dual use, i.e. research that can lead to technologies which can also be used for harmful purposes. In the committee’s 2024 progress report “Scientific Freedom and Security Interests in Times of Geopolitical Polarisation”, which is now available in English, they describe a change within the scientific system due to increased national security interests. In line with their mandate, now extended to 2030, the committee will pay additional attention to this field of tension.
In times of pandemics, wars, and intensifying system rivalries around the world, such security-relevant research is increasing in significance. This includes, for instance, the question as to how research can be protected from espionage and foreign interference while simultaneously ensuring the continuation of international scientific cooperation.
The focus of the report is on the changes taking place within the scientific system due to increased national security interests. According to the authors, the science community is on the one hand increasingly expected to conduct research in line with national security interests. On the other hand, this entails the risk of science becoming subordinate to political aims and of international scientific cooperation being constrained. With its mandate extension and a strategic new set of members, the Joint Committee is addressing the developments regarding the topic of the risks surrounding international research cooperation.
The report presents several examples of security-relevant fields of research: The Joint Committee rates research as “concerning” if abuse can directly follow from it and if potential damage is substantial. The report also includes the results of surveys conducted by the Joint Committee regarding the previous work of the Committees for Ethics in Security-Relevant Research (KEFs). According to this data, a total of 124 cases of security-relevant work were reported to and then discussed by the KEFs between 2016 and 2023. Only nine cases received wholly negative votes. The surveys among the KEFs revealed that security-relevant work of concern continues to be a rare exception in academic research, but that the KEFs also deal with other, partially overlapping security-relevant issues.
The report also provides information about the GA’s participation in events relating to responsible handling of security-relevant research. This includes, for example, the conference “Raising Awareness and Building Competencies for Ethics of Security-Relevant Research (Dual Use) in Teaching – Theories, Methods, Good Practices” which took place in June 2023, as well as the fourth “KEF Forum”, which was held in Munich in 2024. Furthermore, the report also makes mention of future tasks and objectives of the work by the GA and the KEFs. For instance, the implementation of the GA’s recommendations for the implementation of security-relevant ethical considerations in research and teachings should be further pursued.
Link to the progress report by the Joint Committee: https://www.security-relevant-research.org/publication-progressreport2024/
The GA, an advisory committee of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the DFG, was established in 2015 and continuously observes the development of security-relevant research and the associated risks. The committee also identifies areas requiring action and advises the boards of the Leopoldina and the DFG in this matter. Additionally, the GA supports the establishment and the work of KEFs and has become the national point of contact for questions regarding personal responsibility in the handling of this topic. Further information about the Joint Committee: https://www.security-relevant-research.org/
The Leopoldina on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/leopoldina.org
The Leopoldina on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nationalakademieleopoldina
The Leopoldina on X: https://www.twitter.com/leopoldina
About the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina:
As the German National Academy of Sciences, the Leopoldina provides independent science-based policy advice on matters relevant to society. To this end, the Academy develops interdisciplinary statements based on scientific findings. In these publications, options for action are outlined; making decisions, however, is the responsibility of democratically legitimized politicians. The experts who prepare the statements work in a voluntary and unbiased manner. The Leopoldina represents the German scientific community in the international academy dialogue. This includes advising the annual summits of Heads of State and Government of the G7 and G20 countries. With around 1,700 members from more than 30 countries, the Leopoldina combines expertise from almost all research areas. Founded in 1652, it was appointed the National Academy of Sciences of Germany in 2008. The Leopoldina is committed to the common good.
About the German Research Foundation:
The German Research Foundation (DFG) is the largest research funding organisation in Germany and is the nation’s central self-governing body for science. The Foundation serves the scientific community and supports research in all its forms and disciplines. The DFG supports scientific excellence and quality through selection of the best projects in contention. They are also particularly focused on supporting international cooperation, researchers in the early stages of their careers, gender parity, and diversity in the scientific community. Additionally, the DFG engages in dialogue with the social, political, and economic sectors and supports the transfer of insight. Furthermore, the DFG advises institutions dedicated to governmental and public interests in questions of science and scientific politics.
Media contact Leopoldina:
Julia Klabuhn
Acting Head of the Press and Public Relations Department
Tel: +49 (0)345 472 39-800
Email: presse@leopoldina.org
Media contact DFG:
Benedikt Bastong
Press and Public Relations Department
Tel: +49 (0) 228 885-2376
E-Mail: benedikt.bastong@dfg.de
https://www.leopoldina.org/leopoldina-home/
Merkmale dieser Pressemitteilung:
Journalisten, Wissenschaftler
fachunabhängig
überregional
Wissenschaftspolitik
Englisch
Sie können Suchbegriffe mit und, oder und / oder nicht verknüpfen, z. B. Philo nicht logie.
Verknüpfungen können Sie mit Klammern voneinander trennen, z. B. (Philo nicht logie) oder (Psycho und logie).
Zusammenhängende Worte werden als Wortgruppe gesucht, wenn Sie sie in Anführungsstriche setzen, z. B. „Bundesrepublik Deutschland“.
Die Erweiterte Suche können Sie auch nutzen, ohne Suchbegriffe einzugeben. Sie orientiert sich dann an den Kriterien, die Sie ausgewählt haben (z. B. nach dem Land oder dem Sachgebiet).
Haben Sie in einer Kategorie kein Kriterium ausgewählt, wird die gesamte Kategorie durchsucht (z.B. alle Sachgebiete oder alle Länder).
