Global Engagement: Rethinking Risk in the Research Enterprise

Thursday, July 30, 2020 at 11AM PT/ 2PM ET

Please join us for a discussion about the US research enterprise’s acute vulnerability to China's military-civil fusion ambitions, with proposals for redressing it.

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has enjoyed direct and largely unrestricted access to US research, particularly in the areas of science and technology (S&T). But neither the US Government nor the universities and government laboratories in the US research enterprise are adequately tracking or scrutinizing research engagements with the PRC. This creates challenges for the United States that adversely impact its national and economic security, and violate norms of academic integrity, ethics, or administrative rules. The Hoover Institution’s report Global Engagement: Rethinking Risk in the Research Enterprise documents collaborations between US and PRC scholars and research institutions that have directly contributed to the PRC’s military modernization, and argues that new approaches to identifying and managing foreign engagement risk are urgently required. The report includes an integrated program of policy recommendations that aim to reconcile America’s commitment to open and globalized research with the imperative to safeguard US national security and economic competitiveness.

OPENING REMARKS:
Senator Rob Portman, Republican - Ohio

MODERATOR:
Larry Diamond, Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution

PARTICIPANTS:
Glenn Tiffert, Visiting Fellow, Hoover Institution
Jeffrey Stoff, Senior Analyst, Department of Defense
Kevin Gamache, Chief Research Security Officer, The Texas A&M University System

[lindamull]

Thank you for a most informative hour of my time. As a parent, my concerns have been confirmed about the infiltration not only within our colleges and universities but also the demeaning nature of which many parents have been met with their college-educated children.

[idanceforpennies]

I hear the sound of a barn door being closed, but the horse is well over the horizon.

[TiempoNuevo-ewty]

Our biggest mistake was allowing German Nazi spies, and scientists into our country after WWII. Remember the Constitution... NO FOREIGN ENTANGLEMENTS. We need to be relieved of all of our foreign entanglements. Why does science, and industry continue to fraternize with those nations whose politics and goals run counter to our own? A lot of the Chinese here are CCP military spies. I'd like to know why we need to help any nation build new weapons. The problem is the concept of Globalism.
 
I sure am hating the phrase "steak holder." It is getting old.

[clint]

" I hear the train a coming, it's coming round the bend."

[mikejoyce]

Ive witnessed a dozen Chinese students in the University setting, either attempting to steal information or trying to gain access to sensitive areas

[merlepatterson]

Another problem is that our government isn't very responsive to domestic innovators. Almost makes one who might be a citizen innovator want to be a Chinese National so that they can be invited into domestic high tech / high security programs? I guess that's what happens when nearly thirty years of a foreign tech transfer policy which "Smartens-up" our adversary and "Dumbs-down" our own citizens? Maybe a new policy of keeping new and unique domestic-birthed technologies kept as 'eyes-only' for US Citizens (for a given time duration) to exclude any foreign nationals?

[josephososkie]

Foreign students =money. 1.05: “ mitigating risks” is an ominous term.

[ionmccusker]

Maybe the same universities that grossly expanded their admin staff these last few decades (which is actually where the rising tuition costs derive from) can some use their bloated staff to make sure they’re not complicit in helping the enemies of our nation.

[wookongninja]

Yes launch the project. Priorities optimal. Excellent work.

[TinaShay]

At first I thought it was Art Bell talking. Great voice!

[jp-qnje]

Would be helpful for guests to nod when introduced

[jimluebke]

"We won't have any grad students if we can't have Chinese grad students"

That's absolute nonsense. Hire American students.

[birgittagaskell]

he sounds like a robot, we could read this and get as much out of it

[sptrsn]

Scientific Studies produces better ways moving forward despite personal demons and be better with good study habits! Be suspect on altered texts including Bibles - bad teaching produces bad learning - be smarter than bad teachers!
Leave a legacy of stronger society to our beautiful children. Things learned now should never happen again - don't forget - know better do better! We can do this!

[buddyrevell]

So 44 CCP members have seen this video so far... got it. Lol

[rosendegwa]

From around 52:50, the speaker gets the definition of fundamental research a bit mixed up. He seems to imply that applied research is not/cannot be fundamental research. Here is the NSSD 189 definition, which clearly states that applied research is can be fundamental research; as long as there are no restrictions on publications etc.. I am thinking he probably meant to talk about developmental research....may be??

“Fundamental research means basic and applied research in science and engineering, the results of which ordinarily are published and shared broadly within the scientific community, as distinguished from proprietary research and from Industrial development, design, production, and product utilization, the results of which ordinarily are restricted for proprietary or national security reason.” [National Security Decision Directive (NSDD) 189,

[poetmaggie]

Is not our own country also trying to apply research to military applications?

[alisahale]

It is my opinion there is already too much overlap in the US government and university relationship. Given the current (world-wide) desire to appear “kind” rather than wise has undermined the universities’ ability to act responsibly. Can we really rely on a university polity to act on behalf of a patriotic loyalty? Especially if the “louder” public opinion considers these acts to be unkind? It is not my opinion that university professors who love the US and the principles which make her unique in the world should be louder still but should be greatly courageous! Professors and students working within sensitive spheres of science and technology should be able to police their own areas of expertise. If they prove to be unprincipled sellers of secrets, get rid of them regardless of how “smart” they are!

[palaceofwisdom]

presentation suggestion:

Five minutes of reading the participants' resumes and credentials before beginning is incredibly boring, place that info in the description box.

[Erik-rphi]

A Chinese transfer student at a aviation mechanics college was caught by my instructor stealing Boeing manuals from the classroom. He just gave the teacher a mean and dirty look and took the manuals. I guess he thought he would get a Red Star for his thievery from the CCP.