Let academics decide on research with China – Rectors’ head

The new head of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) has warned against introducing a Canada-style vetting system for research links with China, stressing that collaboration decisions should ultimately be made by academics, writes David Matthews for Science|Business.

The extent of risky German academic collaboration with China – in some frequent ties with military-linked universities – has been one of the biggest issues facing Germany’s scientists in recent years as geopolitical tensions rise.

Walter Rosenthal, who in May took over as president of the HRK, insisted that German academics act responsibly and are becoming more attentive towards the risks of collaborations, with some stopping new projects when confronted with the risks their links posed. “Scientists are responsible for what they do, but not alone,” he said, with universities giving them information and advice about potential risks.
Full report on the Science|Business site