In today’s blog post, Alan Campbell, Research Integrity Manager in Edinburgh Research Office, introduces two important new training courses that help staff and students understand how export control and sanctions regimes impact on their work.
Export Control and Sanctions regimes are legal frameworks that exist in many countries worldwide, including the UK, to regulate the export of sensitive or strategically important goods, software and technology.
The controls apply to the academic community (including researchers at the University of Edinburgh) in the same way as to any organisation.
Export of controlled items can occur in a variety of activities such as academic and commercial collaborations, teaching, consultancy and licensing activities and even travelling to a third country overseas with a laptop, or USB stick, which contains controlled items.
Exporting controlled goods, software or technology in breach of sanctions or without the required licence could assist in the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, perpetuate conflict or aid overseas powers in the repression of their populations. Research outputs can be in scope and for researchers in the UK who break the rules, the result could be criminal prosecution.
For those reasons, it’s vital that staff and students alike understand how export control and sanctions regimes impact on their work and how to comply with the law. Two new training resources, one in-house, the other sector-wide, are now available to help staff and students get to grips with the basics of export control.
Higher Education Strategic Export Controls Online Training
This online course has been developed by Cranfield University with the support of the University of Edinburgh under the auspices of the Higher Education Export Control Association (HEECA). It is being used by universities across the UK to introduce staff and students to the topic of export control.
The programme is designed to provide a broad introduction to export control, with examples and case studies tailored to particular groups of HE sector users, including academic and technician staff, professional services staff and students. It also aims to be flexible by allowing participants to dip in and out and complete the programme in stages, according to the time they have available.
Registration required: to register yourself or colleagues, please contact us.
Export Control: Introduction and Key Principles
This in-house ‘bite-size’ training course is delivered either face to face, or remotely, by Edinburgh Research Office. The course gives participants an introduction to UK and international export control and sanctions regimes and is suitable for University of Edinburgh academic, research and technician staff, professional services staff and students.
Delivery time is approximately 20 minutes and is ideal for lunchbreaks or group meetings.
For further information and to book a session, please contact us.
You can find up to date information on training opportunities in export control and sanctions by visiting Edinburgh Research Office’s Export Control webpages.
Further information
For help with a specific export control query, or to apply for an export licence, please contact us