Open Research Secure Futures Ireland (ORSF-IE): Exploring stakeholder perspectives to build consensus on research security within open and responsible research practices.

This research project examines how research security is understood, interpreted, and implemented within the context of open and responsible research practices, with a particular focus on the distinctive characteristics of the Irish research and innovation landscape. Ireland presents a unique case: a militarily neutral state with a highly globalised, export-oriented economy and a research system embedded in international collaboration networks. This positioning creates both opportunities and vulnerabilities, particularly in balancing strong commitments to openness with the need to safeguard sensitive knowledge, data, and strategic partnerships.
Ireland has made significant advances in open research, with national coordination mechanisms such as the National Open Research Forum (NORF) playing a central role in driving policy, aligning stakeholders, and promoting transparency, accessibility, and reproducibility across the research system. This strong national commitment to open research intensifies the need to carefully consider how research security can be effectively integrated without undermining the principles of openness that underpin Ireland’s research culture and international competitiveness.
The project will engage a diverse range of stakeholders, including researchers, research managers, institutional leaders, funders, and policymakers, to examine how issues such as dual-use research, international collaboration risks, intellectual property protection, and data governance are understood in practice. Attention will be paid to how Ireland’s geopolitical positioning, reliance on foreign direct investment, and alignment with EU policy frameworks shape national approaches to research security.
Using the Delphi method, the project will generate evidence on current practices, perceived risks, and the practical challenges of navigating openness and security in an Irish context.
The expected outcomes of the project include the development of a consensus-informed set of recommendations tailored specifically to the Irish research ecosystem and a policy paper. These outputs will provide practical guidance for institutions and policymakers on integrating research security considerations into open and responsible research practices, while remaining aligned with Ireland’s strong commitment to openness, collaboration, and excellence.
Ultimately, the project aims to contribute to a more coherent and context-sensitive approach to research governance in Ireland, that reflects its unique position as a neutral yet globally connected research system and a leader in open research.