Kosal Participates in National Academies Workshop on Information Sharing and National Security

Posted January 10, 2017

Margaret Kosal, an associate professor in the Ivan Allen College Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, participated in a workshop entitled “Dual Use Research of Concern: Options for Future Management” at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in Washington, D.C. on January 4, 2017.

The workshop was organized by the National Academies in order to explore options for communicating the results of “dual use research of concern (DURC),” research findings that have a pressing need to be published while researchers limit the dissemination of certain details due to national security concerns. Workshop participants discussed existing mechanisms for controlling information sharing, as well as First Amendment issues and the applicability of free speech to a scientist’s right to publish research results.

Kosal moderated a session entitled “Mechanisms for Managing Dual Use Research of Concern III.” During her remarks, she emphasized international institutions, uncertainty, and intent when trying to deal with the security challenges of emerging biotechnology that may have implications for bioterrorism, biological weapons, and strategy stability.

Learn more about the session here: https://www8.nationalacademies.org/cp/projectview.aspx?key=49779