Consider factors such as:

- the types of information, knowledge, technology, or people the partner might gain access to and how they might intend to make use of this access.

- if the collaboration would involve any sensitive information that may be taken and applied in a way that could compromise the integrity of your work, reputation, or the College’s.

Consider the risk of the research or funding partner seeking:

- control over the direction of the intended research activities, or future ones. 

- ownership and control over storage and processing of resulting data/IP.

Consider the political status and legal frameworks that the potential research or funding partner will have to work within as a result of the country they are registered in, or where their parent organization may be headquartered.

Do these raise any ethical or security concerns, in particular any concerns around your academic freedom or potential for damage to you reputation?

Consult the legislation page of this Trusted Research guidance. Also consider whether ATAS approval might be necessary for your research programme. Relevant College policies can be found in the pages linked on the Trusted Research further information page.

2. Are you providing existing intellectual property (IP), research data, confidential or personally identifiable data to the project? If so, how is this going to be protected?

- Formal written agreements may be be necessary before providing any such information. Speak with your Research Services Contracts Team for advice.

- Also consider whether there are any legal implications in sharing these such as Data Protection, Export Control or NSI Act.

- The College IP Policy outlines who certain IP generally belongs to depending on the scenario. However, your Research Services Contracts Team or the College Enterprise Team can give you tailored advice on this. The commercialisation process is managed within Imperial's Enterprise division.

It is important that any access is proportionate and appropriate. Read the ‘Segregation’ section at the end of the Trusted Research homepage to help consider access what restrictions may be needed. Speak with ICT about ensuring secure access to data and appropriate encryption protocols. 

Consider appropriate segregation of work, and management of access to ensure no overlaps take place and access is provided only where necessary, appropriate or in accordance with relevant contracts. 

Read about dual-use items and end-use concerns to help you think about potential misuse or unintended applications of your research. Consider whether your research can be applied in a way that may cause harm directly or indirectly to people or populations.

This may include genetic or medical information, population datasets, details of individuals or commercial test data

Think about the application of the research or potential application.

Could the research be used to support activities in other countries with ethical standards different from our own, such as internal surveillance and repression?

The Enterprise department at the College provides advice and support on intellectual property rights and commercialisation of eligible research output. Read the following webpages or further insight into these aspects:

• The patent process

• What to do if you have a discovery with commercial potential

Your ideas could be valuable to specific kinds of people. Consider the consequences of what would happen if your research fell into the wrong hands. If your research could make you a target, think about the appropriate steps you need to take to protect your research including data security.

Research may be applied in different ways that weren't intended. Think how research results could be used and consider how to prevent partners or other people with access to research, from doing this inappropriately.

Try to stay aware of the current cyber security threats to UK universities and academia. Your personal data and intellectual property may be under threat from cyber criminals.

It is the responsibility of each researcher to check who’s getting involved in their work, what levels of access they are seeking and what they may see. Look into the background of research partners. If the wrong people were to have access to your work, what might they be able to do with it?

Make sure all elements of work are kept secure. Make sure that you are up to date on the latest regulations and are storing data, personal information and other parts of your research securely.

Security breaches, inappropriate or unethical use of research or unusual funding sources can all impact on the reputation of an individual researcher and the College.

Securing your research does not end at cyber security; think beyond and think about the who, why, and what.