Disinformation, research security, and the Canadian academic landscape

Australian Research Security

In this episode, host Jacqueline Littlewood spoke to Dr. Brendan Walker-Munro, a research security expert and academic from Australia currently affiliated with Southern Cross University. We spoke about the Australian approach to research security, takeaways from some of his recent research, and safeguarding defence and dual-use research.

Research Security Communications and Engagement

In this episode, host Jacqueline Littlewood spoke to two communications professionals in the field of research security administration: Clayton Lewis, the Manager, Policy, Education & Outreach in Research Services at the University of Calgary and Education and Engagement Lead at the University of Alberta Safeguarding Research Office, Rachel Zukiwski-Pezim. We discussed the Canadian research security landscape through the lens of communications and engagement. Rachel and Clayton walked us through real-world dos and don'ts of engagement, what actually works, and how communities of practice are leveling up the way we communicate. It’s all about making complex security requirements accessible, meaningful, and—above all—comprehensive for the researchers advancing innovation and collaboration.

State Threats and Universities: Case Studies from the United Kingdom

In this episode, Power Plant Sessions' host Jacqueline Littlewood spoke to Professor David McIlhaton, an expert in Protective Security and Resilience and one of the authors of a recently published report titled "State Threats and Universities - Case Studies from the from the United Kingdom."  We discussed the complex landscape of research security in the United Kingdom, exploring both the critical challenges and the opportunities for resilience in academia. We walked through several real-world case studies that reveal the varying methods of espionage targeting postsecondary education and considered why increased international collaboration on research security, government funding for research security, and culture change are essential for advancing research security and safeguarding research.

Research Security at Colleges, Polytechnics, CÉGEPs, and Institutes

In this episode, Power Plant Sessions host Jacqueline Littlewood speaks to Peter Laffin at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) and Dr. François Paradis, Dean of Applied Research at Lakeland College, about how their institutions specifically, and colleges, polytechnics, CÉGEPs and research institutes more generally, have been approaching research security and their unique challenges and opportunities.

Identifying and Safeguarding Sensitive Research of Concern

In this episode, Power Plant Sessions host Jacqueline Littlewood speaks to Dr. Martha Crago, Chair of the Council of Canadian Academies’ panel on Balancing Research Security and Open Science for Dual-Use Research of Concern (and former Vice President, Research and Innovation) at McGill University and Dr. Kelly Cobey, panel member and Director, Metaresearch and Open Science Program, University of Ottawa Heart Institute about research security, open science, and how to identify and safeguard sensitive research of concern.