Queen’s University hosted its third Research Security Town Hall on April 22, 2025, bringing together researchers, administrators, and campus partners to deepen understanding of Canada’s evolving research security landscape. The half-day event, held in Stauffer Library and livestreamed via Microsoft Teams, featured a series of expert presentations and discussions on protecting research integrity in a global context.
The 4-part session discussed foreign interference, research security guidelines, international sanctions, and the legal responsibilities of faculty and institutions when hosting international researchers. Our expert speakers will provide essential guidance on safeguarding research while ensuring compliance with government policies and regulations.
Part 1: Christian Leuprecht (School of Policy Studies & Political Studies, cross-appointed to the Royal Military College of Canada)
This presentation provided insights into the research security threat environment, including the activities that China and Russia and others engage in to subvert Canadian and other Western interests. Chair of the Ontario Research Fund Advisory Board, Dr. Leuprecht also discussed the concerns the Ontario Government was seeking to address through its research security guidelines.
Part 2: Jessica Horwitz (Partner, International Trade & Investment at Bennett Jones LLP)
This presentation focused on the need for researchers and academic institutions to be aware of Canadian Sanctions under the Special Economic Measures Act. Ms. Horwitz highlighted issues academics should consider when engaging with individuals and entities in sanctioned countries, particularly Russia and Iran, and regardless of the presence or absence of their institution on the Named Research Organization List. She also discussed how institutions and academics can demonstrate compliance with current requirements.
Part 3: Era Macwan (Immigration Consultant, Office of the Provost and Vice-Principal - Academic)
Ms. Macwan provided an overview of the legal requirements for having international visitors and other research personnel at Queen's campus, including the consequences of breaches for faculty and the university overall. She outlined the processes in place at the university to support faculty members and achieve compliance with these laws.
Part 4: Colleen Savage (Research Security & Compliance Advisor, Vice-Principal Research Portfolio)
Update on recent research security program changes that may affect researchers as well as expected changes in the coming months.
The event underscored a shared commitment to safeguarding Canadian research, not only through policy and compliance, but through awareness, dialogue, and collective responsibility across the academic community.
About the 2024 session
On January 16, 2024, the Federal Government launched a new Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC) Policy, a framework designed to protect Canada’s research ecosystem from risks associated with sensitive technologies and research partnerships. The policy applies to funding applications submitted to the federal granting councils - the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), as well as the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).
In response, the Vice-Principal Research Portfolio hosted a Research Security Town Hall on March 19, 2024, to outline the policy’s requirements, discuss Queen’s implementation approach, and provide researchers with an open forum to raise questions about its potential impact on their work and collaborations.
Materials and recordings of the 2025 and 2024 Town Hall are available to the Queen’s research community.
Access the Research Security Town Hall recordings and materials (Queen's NetID required).