International research and innovation collaboration in a turbulent world

The research presented in this report has been carried out within the framework of the government assignment on Ansvarsfull Internationalisering, which the University and Higher Education Council, the Swedish Research Council and Vinnova received in 2023. The final report for the assignment, National support function for responsible internationalisation, was submitted to the government on December 16, 2024.

How can a rapidly changing geopolitical context change the conditions for international academic exchange? And how does it affect Swedish universities? The authors Sylvia Schwaag Serger and Tommy Shih discuss this in the study. They also explain why and how the context has changed, and summarize and describe how higher education actors and governments have responded so far. They also present frameworks for understanding and developing appropriate actions to deal with the changing context.

Finally, the authors offer some suggestions on how universities, governments and other relevant actors can respond effectively and appropriately to the changing context:

1. Identify the problem
   It is crucial that there is a meta-understanding of the overarching challenges such as openness, scientific progress, academic freedom, finding solutions to global challenges, national security issues, economic security, ethics, human rights and democracy. A clear and common problem identification needs to be created through a continuous and structured dialogue between relevant parties (academia, government, authorities and financiers) in order to build mutual trust and understanding.
2. Significant and structural investments in knowledge
   Knowledge of research, science and higher education systems is essential, and dedicated knowledge creation is required to identify the problem and issues. Efforts to create knowledge should combine and integrate different disciplines. Such an interdisciplinary approach is also important to avoid an excessive focus on safety.
3. National guidelines and national support function
   Due to the increased need to address national interests, the government needs to guide and clarify its expectations. In order for the government's guidance to be efficient, co-creation with all involved stakeholders is also needed. Some important functions of a support function may be to build a community of practice; invest in developing knowledge; and respond to direct inquiries.
4. Combine defensive and offensive policies
   To ensure long-term national security, countries need to combine efforts to protect research activities from threats and foreign interference with appropriate investments in future scientific, technological and economic strength.
5. Law or rule changes or increased specificity regarding existing legislation
   This applies, for example, to confidentiality and information sharing, student admission and screening. However, changes in legislation should be made with caution. There is already existing legislation that can be (and is) used for research and academic activities. The clarity of how these can be applied separately and collectively needs to be improved.
   

Read more:
National support function for responsible internationalisation: Final report from the government assignment on Ansvarsfull Internationalisering

National guidelines for responsible internationalisation: Interim report from the government assignment on Ansvarsfull Internationalisering