Research Security Special: Research Strategy Clinic

How the Foreign Influence Registration System 2025, Export Control and the National Security Act 2023 may impact arts, humanities and social sciences research and researchers.

27 June 2025, 13.00 to 14.00 on Teams

[REGISTER HERE]

Legislation around a new Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (launching 1 July 2025) with legal obligations on individuals and UCAM, and on export control and the 2023 National Security Act, will form the focus of special Research Strategy Clinic on research security led by Dr Rhys Morgan, Head of Policy, Integrity and Governance. The implications of these legislations, which may impact researchers in the arts, humanities and social sciences, will be explained in detail and there will be time for Q&As. The main part of the session will be recorded, however colleagues are encouraged to attend to ask specific questions related to their research areas during the Q&A.

About the legislation:

Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS):

The FIRS scheme will come into force on 1 July 2025. It requires registrations with the UK

government of any arrangement:

• made between an individual or entity and a foreign government to undertake political influence activities in the UK; or,
• with the Russian or Iranian government to undertake any activities in the UK.

This may include:

• research contracts and collaborations;
• less formalised activities such as conferences or meetings if they have been set up at the request of a foreign government.

This is the first major piece of national security legislation that may impact beyond STEM subjects.

For more information on FIRS see the University FIRS webpage

Export Control and the 2023 National Security Act:

On 1 May 2025 the University Research Policy Committee updated the University’s Export Control Procedure and Guidance in line with recommendations from a recent audit. The new Procedure is designed to ensure that researchers are supported to comply with Export Control legislation, and the Clinic will outline this process. The 2023 National Security Act, which has significantly increased the potential financial and custodial sentences possible for breaches of export control legislation.

Supported by the Research Office, Schools and Departments are required to undertake a structured risk assessment to identify who within the University works with export-controlled items, software and technology and to ensure that those who do are appropriately trained and follow the revised Procedure.

For more information on export control see the University export control website.

Read about other upcoming Research Strategy Clinics here.