This short policy guide serves as an extension of the previous “Research Security and Open Social Scholarship in Canada” document published in 2023. This updated version addresses escalating threats to Canadian research ecosystems due to foreign espionage, geopolitical tensions (e.g., China, Russia), and politicization of academia. The federal government has introduced stricter guidelines via the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP), a $12.6M-funded Research Security Centre, and tools like the six-page Risk Assessment Form to evaluate partnerships involving sensitive technologies (AI, quantum computing) or high-risk entities (sanctioned states, state-influenced institutions). Researchers must balance compliance with open collaboration while navigating uncertainties around dual-use technologies, foreign interference, and ideological pressures. The U.S. context—marked by travel advisories for vulnerable researchers, militarized immigration enforcement (e.g., ICE’s expanded jurisdiction), and attacks on academic freedom—highlights vulnerabilities in the global knowledge economy. Canada seeks to mitigate risks through security reviews while preserving scholarly autonomy, but tensions persist between national security imperatives and democratic values like equity, inclusion, and free inquiry. As political polarization and AI-driven disinformation reshape research landscapes, universities face a critical challenge: safeguarding innovation without stifling international cooperation or academic freedom.

Researchers should cite this work as follows:

• Mauro, A., (2025), "The State of Research Security in Canada, 2025", HSSCommons: (DOI: 10.25547/Y1RV-E494)

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1. canada
2. information security
3. open social scholarship
4. research security
5. technology