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Research Security: An AUKUS Perspective
Book chapter   Open access   Peer reviewed

Research Security: An AUKUS Perspective

Brendan Walker-Munro Associate Professor
Strategic Futures of the Indo-Pacific: Power, Risk and Regional Transformation, pp.61-72
IPSC Press, Volume 1
2026
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Research Security: An AUKUS PerspectiveView
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Abstract

University research contributes significantly to the development of novel inventions and life-changing expertise, with universities set to take an increased role in receiving and holding crucial technologies under both Pillars of the AUKUS deal. However, given the contested geopolitical environment in the Indo-Pacific (constituted by other highly influential nations like China, North Korea, India and Japan), “research security” – the protection of university research from national security threats – is emerging as a highly challenging policy problem. Researchers want to collaborate internationally. Cooperation brings increased opportunities for funding and new insights, and for diversity of voice and thought. Our higher education sector can bridge diplomatic and foreign policy gaps that no other form of soft power can achieve. Yet, international collaboration has a dark side – it can open the door to espionage, foreign interference, illicit technology transfer and potential compromises to human rights, research integrity, or ethical and legal obligations. The AUKUS Agreement has exacerbated those risks, with intelligence agencies such as Australia’s Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) warning of an “unhealthy interest” in AUKUS technologies by autocratic governments. The US has signalled at least two potential challenges to AUKUS – a lack of submarine-building capability and insular research funding policies that have caused shocks worldwide. Other Indo-Pacific players are also shoring up their research security defences: New Zealand has a mature “trusted research” program, and Japan and South Korea are mobilising to protect their research from foreign competition and infiltration. This paper will briefly present research security measures in the AUKUS nations before proposing three lines of effort to contain threats to higher education research: - Working between Australia, the US and the UK to create a common understanding of research security, under which to harmonise as much of their policy settings as possible; - Leveraging the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance to provide “sanitised” strategic intelligence to the higher education sectors of Indo-Pacific nations, countering the threats from autocratic interference in the region; and - Incentivising and lowering the barriers for research opportunities between AUKUS universities and those in the Indo-Pacific, to drive strategic uplift in our Indo-Pacific partners capacity to handle research security risk (through capacity building, exchanges, investment etc).

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