Research Security a Theme for Fall Events

Interim VPR Claudia Neuhauser highlights upcoming safeguards and rules concerning research security in UH Research Forum.

By Sarah Hill

Data Security: Professional person typing on a laptop, closeup on hands

In the Division of Research’s first event of the fall semester, interim Vice President for Research Claudia Neuhauser highlighted upcoming safeguards and rules concerning research security.

Texas Senate Bill 1565, which took effect on September 1, 2023, requires the establishment of policy frameworks for research security at the state’s public institutions of higher education. Aimed at securing the academic research enterprise from the risk of foreign influence or interference, the bill requires policy frameworks to establish the highest level of compliance to secure and protect the institution’s research portfolio, promote a culture of compliance, and designate an individual to serve as research security officer.

The National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 (NSPM-33) of January 2022 addresses the national security strategy of the U.S. government and its supported research & development. This memorandum targets “foreign government interference and outreach” and focuses on advancing research security through enhanced disclosure requirements, strict consequences for violations, and through the widespread adoption of Digital Persistent Identifiers (PIDs).

Faculty can expect more information throughout the fall semester on the research security programs being developed at UH. New webpages will outline the updated guidance and protocols. The Division will also invest in research security training, and three new positions will be filled at the University in the coming months.

Andrea Malone of UH Libraries went deeper into Digital Persistent Identifiers (PIDs) in the second presentation on the forum’s agenda. Faculty may be familiar with these identifiers, but the NSPM-33 will make them a requirement for all researchers engaging in government-supported R&D. UH Libraries recommends ORCID (Open Researcher and Contributor ID) as the most versatile and useful PID for researchers. PIDs contribute to research security goals in higher education by discouraging foreign government interference and exploitation, protecting intellectual capital, preventing research misappropriation, and ensuring responsible management of U.S. taxpayer dollars.

Research Security will be a theme for upcoming DOR events, and the Research Security webpages will be refreshed throughout the academic year.