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Trusted Research

Trusted Research is a set of guidance intended to strengthen the integrity of international academic research collaborations.

The National Protective Security Agency (NPSA) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) have provided specific guidance for academics, researchers, professional services staff and funding organisations. The aim is to protect the UK’s sensitive research from hostile states and actors who seek to undermine the economic development and national security of the UK.

We are a global University with hundreds of formal international collaborations around the world. International partnerships and collaborations are an integral part of our work, and our strategy and culture encourage global exchange and cooperation.

As a world-leading international research institution, it is important to be aware of the key legal frameworks that may impact upon such work, particularly where that work may involve international collaboration.

The Trusted Research agenda is particularly relevant to researchers in STEM subjects, dual-use technologies, emerging technologies and commercially sensitive research areas. However, everyone involved in research should be aware of these issues and acknowledge that informal collaborations are subject to the same set of regulations as funded, formal collaborations.

Help and support

Research Integrity, Governance and Ethics Team

The central Research Integrity, Governance and Ethics (RIGE) team is based in Research Services. We can assess any proposed research activity and advise on any issues that researchers should be aware of in the context of the Trusted Research agenda and academia.

RIGE will support you in determining whether an export licence is required for your project and will coordinate any licence applications. RIGE can also assess your proposed activity against the requirements of the National Security and Investment Act. Please contact resgov@cardiff.ac.uk.

Trusted Research Oversight Group

We have established a Trusted Research Oversight Group, which maintains oversight of the Trusted Research Governance Framework at the University.

The Group consists of Academics researching in STEM-related fields who understand the complexities of international research projects.

Professional Services are represented by colleagues who provide the essential support services to facilitate the implementation of the Trusted Research agenda in Cardiff University.

Useful guidance

The National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) have a range of academia-specific guidance for researchers, university staff and funding organisations to help keep sensitive research and intellectual property secure from theft, misuse or exploitation.

We acknowledge the guidance provided by the NPSA in developing our processes.

The implementation scenario videos are a series of short videos, based on real events that have occurred in UK academia.

They have been developed by the NPSA and the NCSC, under the Trusted Research advice and guidance, as learning resources to help academics identify and mitigate research security risks.

The Trusted Research Guidance for Academia is issued jointly by the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to help the UK academic sector manage the security risks associated with international research collaboration.

The National Protective Security Authority’s Countries and Conferences is part of its wider Trusted Research campaign.

It is designed to help UK academics understand and manage risks associated with international research collaboration and overseas travel, particularly when engaging with countries whose legal, ethical or democratic values differ from the UK’s.