Research depends on openness, exchange of ideas, and global partnerships. At the same time, growing geopolitical tensions and the increasing strategic value of scientific knowledge have made knowledge safety an urgent topic for researchers and institutions.
How can we continue to build bridges for international collaboration while safeguarding sensitive knowledge, data, and technologies? How do we remain open without being naive about the risks?
In Research Integrity Round #25, we will address the increasingly important topic of knowledge safety and explore its possible tensions with other important aspects of research, especially, the ideal of open science.
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The Round will be structured in two parts:
The first part of the Round will focus on awareness for knowledge safety, definitions and background, and its practical relevance.- Thomas Maal will open with an exemplary case involving sensitive technology and knowledge safety.
- Jan Smit (Dean Radboudumc) will address the importance of institutional awareness and policy, including key definitions and why knowledge safety is increasingly relevant for research practice.
- A representative of the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) will discuss current issues in knowledge safety within research and innovation, and send a realistic signal about the threat identified by the AIVD.
The second part of the Round moves from principles to practice.
- Through short interview-style conversations, colleagues with experience in international collaboration will share reflections on the daily realities, challenges, and tensions that researchers face.
- Anita Eerland will provide a broader reflection on Open Science in times of knowledge safety awareness, exploring how the values of openness, transparency, and responsible collaboration can be maintained in a context of increasing security concerns.
As always, members of the audience are invited to actively participate through questions, reflections, polls and discussion.
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Time: Wednesday 10 June 2026
16:00 - 17:30 hrs
Auditorium, Experience Center -
Registration is required. Please register via this link
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We invite all master students, junior and senior researchers and other staff members to attend this event and join the discussion.
Please note that PhD candidates can add the Research Integrity Rounds to their Training and Supervision Plan. -
Radboudumc organizes 3 Research Integrity Rounds each year for both master students and research staff (PhD candidates and senior researchers) to aim awareness of academic integrity. The Research Integrity Rounds focus on both students and researchers particular for the interaction between these future and already experienced scientists.
Additional information regarding the Research Integrity Rounds and earlier editions can be accessed via this link.