Over the last few days there have been media reports of Foreign Interference cases in Australia. Foreign Interference could include instances where you as a staff member or student feel under pressure by an overseas person or organisation to make certain decisions or provide sensitive information back to that overseas party. This can be detrimental to our institution or Australia, so the Federal Government and universities work together to prevent these cases from happening or reporting them if observed.
As an institution with a vibrant community of students and staff, both in Australia and internationally, UNE takes matters of Foreign Interference and espionage extremely seriously. We recognise the complexities and responsibilities that come with operating in a global academic environment, and we are acutely aware of the need to safeguard our people, research, and collaborations.
UNE adopts a risk-based approach to managing Foreign Interference, ensuring that we identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks wherever possible. We have a Foreign Interference & Collaboration Committee chaired by the DVCR and with membership from relevant teams at UNE. While we value open engagement and international collaboration, we remain vigilant and proactive in reducing the likelihood and consequences of Foreign Interference, in order to protect the integrity and security of our learning, teaching, research and other activities.
If you would like more information, resources on Foreign Interference can be found towards the bottom of the Research Services webpage. This includes an Introduction to Foreign Interference Course available on the Workplace Capability and Inclusion Training MyLearn page, which is accessible by all staff and HDR students at UNE. General queries about foreign interference at UNE can be directed to foreignrelations@une.edu.au.
An important facility that we make available for people who observe instances that they think may be a case of Foreign Interference is a confidential reporting channel. This is accessible both through the Compliance webpage and the Research Services webpage, or it can be reported here (foreignrelations@une.edu.au).