{"id":159917,"date":"2023-10-16T16:12:33","date_gmt":"2023-10-16T14:12:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=159917"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:27:00","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:27:00","slug":"knaw-on-knowledge-security-dont-slam-the-door-shut-for-academics-from-outside-europe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2023\/10\/16\/knaw-on-knowledge-security-dont-slam-the-door-shut-for-academics-from-outside-europe\/","title":{"rendered":"KNAW on knowledge security: \u2018Don’t slam the door shut for academics from outside Europe\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the interest of knowledge security, systematic screening of researchers from outside Europe is in the making. Not a good idea, says Marileen Dogterom, president of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW).<\/p>\n

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Several political parties have expressed serious concerns about knowledge security at universities, and any incident in this area immediately sets off the alarm bells. We\u2019ve been a bit naive, said<\/a> Education Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf on the matter.<\/p>\n

China in particular is in the spotlight. Researchers at Delft University of Technology were found<\/a> to be unintentionally helping the Chinese army. The human rights centre at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, which has now closed<\/a>, received Chinese funding. Chinese PhD candidates were required<\/a> to pass information to their embassy.<\/p>\n

Service desk<\/h2>

As security agencies continue to issue strong warnings, the KNAW believes that the situation with regard to knowledge security in the Netherlands has now improved. Last year, the government opened a \u2018service desk\u2019 for researchers who might have questions. A \u2018guideline\u2019 on knowledge security in scientific research has also been drawn up.<\/p>\n

The government believes this does not go far enough, however. It is considering introducing systematic screening of researchers coming to this country from outside Europe. The KNAW writes<\/a> in a new position paper<\/em> that this would be disproportionate. <\/em><\/p>\n

In talks<\/h2>

KNAW President Marileen Dogterom is a University Professor at Delft University of Technology and understands how important knowledge security is. Together with other scientists in the Netherlands and abroad, she is working on building synthetic cells.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is fundamental research, where we are trying to understand how living cells work by replicating them\u201d, says Dogterom. \u201cWe dream of one day being able to use cell-like systems to produce certain substances in a sustainable way. Research programmes similar to this are also running in China. The scientists working in these programmes are keen to collaborate with us. We\u2019re presently in the midst of this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t

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\n\t\t\u2018It\u2019s a real puzzle, and just introducing an exclusionary policy doesn\u2019t seem like a solution to me\u2019\n\t<\/blockquote>\n\n\t<\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

There are important criteria to consider when choosing to collaborate with them, she says. \u201cWe talk with our own university, our knowledge security team and anyone else who has expertise in this field, as well as seeking advice from the government. How should the collaboration be shaped? How do we ensure that both parties benefit?\u201d<\/p>\n

Suppose someone says, based on their gut feeling or intuition, that you shouldn\u2019t collaborate at all with a country like China, where there is no academic freedom. What could you answer?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThat is a complicated question. My field spans the entire globe and is extremely multidisciplinary. We\u2019re part of a European research consortium, but research similar to ours is also being conducted in the United States and Asia. China is part of a consortium that includes the likes of Japan, Singapore, Australia and South Korea. These are countries we might want to collaborate with. Would we be prevented from doing that? And if there were no obstacles, why then can\u2019t we collaborate directly with China? It\u2019s a real puzzle, and just introducing an exclusionary policy doesn\u2019t seem like a solution to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

If it\u2019s so complicated, can you leave that responsibility to scientists? Surely they prefer to do research without getting into geopolitical issues?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWe ask scientists also to explore the principles of scientific integrity, so why shouldn\u2019t they also examine these issues? Of course, they need support in doing so. Researchers should talk to their supervisors, the security team at their university or, if necessary, the executive board, but it\u2019s not a good idea to leave the researcher out of the equation altogether. They know the most about their particular field.\u201d<\/p>\n

The KNAW says there\u2019s little point in screening all incoming researchers and scientists from outside Europe, as that can lead to a false sense of security.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cIndeed. Suppose you decide to screen large groups of researchers, except for those with European passports\u2026 If I had ill-intentioned motives, I\u2019m pretty certain I\u2019d know how to get around this. Risks are a constant factor that you have to try to minimise and weigh as reasonably as you can against other risks.\u201d<\/p>\n

What other risks are you referring to?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe greatest risk is that international collaboration and knowledge exchange, both of which are absolutely essential, will be halted. In the Netherlands, we have a system of academic freedom and open collaboration with other countries. This is fundamental to our progress.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t

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