New China Research Security Guide Published
Researchers and students can now access consolidated safety recommendations for conducting field work in or regarding China.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Language Learning
Live Poll
Do you trust that research conducted in foreign nations can be performed safely and responsibly?
MERICS recently published a guide on research security for scholars working on or in China. The report offers actionable recommendations for maintaining academic safety based on a June 2026 workshop held in Berlin.
Why it matters
As international research environments become more complex, scholars need clearer frameworks to navigate potential risks while conducting field work. This report provides a structured approach for individuals and institutions to prioritize safety and responsible engagement.
The report distills findings from a multi-disciplinary workshop involving experts from academia, industry, journalism, and think tanks. It remains unknown how individual universities or research bodies will integrate these specific security recommendations into their existing field-work policies.
The players
MERICS
A research institute that studies China and provides policy analysis for international institutions.
Jessica Batke
A co-author of the report and co-organizer of the research security workshop.
Katja Drinhausen
A co-author of the report who focuses on research security and China-related policy.
Daria Impiombato
A co-author of the report specializing in research security guidelines.
ChinaFile
An online publication providing support for research security workshops through grant funding.
The details
The report synthesizes insights from a June 2026 Berlin workshop supported by a grant from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. It provides a toolkit for scholars and institutions to assess and mitigate risks when conducting research in or regarding China. By distilling these shared experiences into formalized guidance, the authors aim to help researchers navigate complex environments more securely.
Timeline
A research security workshop was held in Berlin in June 2026.
The final research security report was published on October 28, 2026.
Education Landscape
This report follows the pattern set by the 2018 U.S. National Defense Authorization Act's research security provisions by formalizing safety protocols for international academic inquiry. It reflects an evolving landscape where academic institutions are increasingly standardizing risk management.
Scholars planning future field work should review these recommendations to ensure their research designs meet modern security standards. Students and faculty should consult their home institution's research office to see if these guidelines align with their current safety protocols.
The takeaway
Reliable research in complex geopolitical environments depends on proactive, community-informed risk management. Researchers should prioritize reviewing the full report to identify which security best practices apply to their specific field study or regional data collection.
Further reading
Explore more resources on conducting international scholarship in the Language Learning section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ChinaFile.
Live Poll
Do you trust that research conducted in foreign nations can be performed safely and responsibly?
