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Research security is quickly becoming a core pillar of Canada’s national and economic security. In this episode of Secure Line, Steph, Leah, and Jess explore why protecting research and innovation has become such an urgent priority as geopolitical competition increasingly centers on intellectual property, emerging technologies, and scientific talent. Universities and research institutions sit at the heart of this challenge, balancing openness and global collaboration with the need to safeguard sensitive technologies, data, and partnerships.
The hosts are joined by Akshay Singh (University of British Columbia’s inaugural Director of Research Security) and Jessica Adam (Director of Research Ethics and Security at Carleton University). Together, they unpack what research security actually means in practice—from intellectual property theft and covert technology transfer to foreign interference and dual-use technologies. The conversation explores how research security teams conduct due diligence using open-source information, how governments identify sensitive research areas, and why fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, and aerospace are increasingly at the center of global strategic competition.
The discussion also tackles difficult questions around academic freedom, international collaboration, and the growing complexity of research security frameworks across countries and institutions. Ultimately, the episode highlights why protecting publicly funded research is not just about safeguarding innovation, but about ensuring that Canadian science and technology are not used to advance authoritarian military, surveillance, or human rights abuses abroad.
