To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is planning on taking to protect UK intellectual property in UK universities.
Answered on
9 February 2021
Defence's Science and Technology Strategy 2020 highlights the importance both of protecting and securing technologies that are essential to national security and of collaborating closely with academia. Defence will continue to work across Government and with universities to protect IP and the products of research generated in the UK.
A range of legislative measures is in place, such as UK Strategic Export Controls and the Academic Technology Approvals Scheme, that protect research and our national security interests.
The Government has also developed bespoke advice, 'Trusted Research', to help UK universities and research institutions make informed decisions about international collaboration and, in doing so, protect their own researchers and academic values, and has also published comprehensive security guidelines.
As well as remaining closely aligned with these initiatives, Defence is considering specific measures that may be needed to safeguard academic activities contracted or sponsored by Defence.