AV研究所

In response to Congressional concerns that the misappropriation of sensitive IP and acquisition of certain emerging technologies potentially compromise national security, U.S. Government agencies have substantially increased their investigative focus on U.S. universities and research institutions.聽 Broadly referred to as 鈥淔oreign Influence,鈥� this threat has been defined to include attempts by a foreign entity to gain unauthorized access to federally-funded research; influence the direction of research activities based on sponsorship, financial donation, and other forms of in-kind support; and obtain intellectual property through IT penetration and other illegal activities.

In response to these concerns, and consistent with how other peer national research universities are responding, the Office of the Provost and Dean of Faculties, with the support of the Office of the Executive Vice President, tasked the Vice Provost for Research with establishing a Foreign Influence Working Group to proactively protect the University from Foreign Influence and address research security concerns, as well as to build awareness within the University community to better mitigate future risks.

The Boston College Foreign Influence Working Group is chaired by the Director of Research Security, Integrity, and Compliance, and its membership includes staff and faculty representatives from several key University functional areas.聽 The Working Group meets on a quarterly basis and has several subcommittees focused on specific areas of concern.