UK to crack down on foreign research funding

Britain’s academic institutions provide a rich feeding ground for China to achieve political influence and economic advantage in and over the UK. That is the fear expressed by the UK parliament’s security and intelligence committee.

As a consequence, Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden has announced that the government is considering cracking down on foreign research funding. 

Dowden has stated that he intends to summon university bosses to a meeting to discuss the government’s review of academic security and to work with them to present the country’s proposed response.

A part of that proposed response will naturally include ensuring that universities do not become overly reliant on foreign funding and thus are not left open to influence and exploitation from hostile or even allied powers. 

With tensions growing with China and a whole host of other geopolitical uncertainties rearing their head, this is a welcome statement from the government. Whether they will get the time to implement it before the election remains to be seen.