CCA appoints expert panel on dual-use research of concern

Dual-use research of concern (DURC) refers to information, products, and processes that are intended to serve the public interest but may be used for malicious purposes. At the request of Defence Research and Development Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada, the CCA has formed an expert panel to consider strategies for identifying and managing DURC that promote research security while honouring Canada’s open-science commitments. Martha Crago, C.M., PhD, D.Sc., professor at McGill University, will serve as panel chair.

“Open science holds great promise for accelerating discovery and innovation, but it is also a practice marked by potential vulnerabilities,” said Dr. Crago. “Dual-use research of concern requires early identification and steady oversight to ensure the integrity of Canada’s research system and the wellbeing of its peoples.”

Dr. Crago will lead a multidisciplinary group with expertise in a variety of fields, including research security, biosafety, risk assessment, knowledge production systems, public research institutes, and responsible conduct of research. Together, panellists will answer the following question:

What does current evidence suggest for identifying and protecting dual-use research of concern while balancing open science and innovation?

“This assessment comes at a critical time as Canadian researchers look for guidance in how to advance new knowledge and promote open science and innovation in the context of new global security challenges,” said Tijs Creutzberg, CCA’s president and CEO. “The strategic management of sensitive research is a new reality when carrying out research and innovation in Canada, and to promoting and protecting Canadian interests.”

Read more about CCA’s dual-use research assessment on our project page.

The Expert Panel on Dual-Use Research of Concern:

• Martha Crago (chair), C.M., PhD, DSc, Professor, Vice President Research and Innovation, McGill University (Montréal, QC)
• Kelly Cobey, PhD, Director, Metaresearch and Open Science Program, University of Ottawa Heart Institute (Ottawa, ON)
• Jim Ghadbane, Former President, CANARIE Inc. (Ottawa, ON)
• Garfield Giff, PhD, Research Chair, Climate Change Adaptation, Aurora Research Institute (Inuvik, NT)
• Jacqueline Littlewood, Director, Research Security, University of Alberta (Edmonton, AB)
• Allison M. Macfarlane, Professor and Director, School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, University of British Columbia (Vancouver, BC)
• Rebecca Moritz, MS, CBSP (ABSA), SM (NRCM), Biosafety Director, Office of the Vice President for Research, Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO)
• Delilah Ofosu-Barko, Director, Institute for Better Health Operations, Trillium Health Partners (Mississauga, ON)
• Catherine Olivier, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal (Montréal, QC)
• Jocelyn Tremblay, Former Director General, Science and Engineering, Defence Research and Development Canada (Quebec City, QC)
• Andrew Van Kessel, Director of Research, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan (Saskatoon, SK)
• Anya Waite, CEO and Scientific Director, Ocean Frontier Institute, Dalhousie University (Halifax, NS)
• Matthew S. Wiseman, PhD, Lecturer, Department of History, University of Waterloo (Waterloo, ON)

Expert panel members serve as individuals and do not represent the views of their organizations of affiliation or employment.