Interdisciplinary approach towards research security for managing geopolitical risks and building resilient society​

The Conference is organised by Mykolas Romeris University, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania. It will bring together leading experts and senior representatives from international and national institutions, academia, and industry to discuss emerging challenges and good practices in research security.

At a time of increasing geopolitical complexity and growing attention to the security dimensions of research and innovation, the Conference will focus on the advancement of a coherent, proportionate and risk-based approach towards research security in Lithuania, that would be fully aligned with the European Union efforts in this field, including the EU Council Recommendation on Enhancing Research Security, while drawing on international experience and adapting global best practices to the national context.

The conference will be held in English and is planned as closed event (by invitation only).

Third flagship event of International Research week in Lithuania
Organizers: Mykolas Romeris University in partnership with Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania
Date – 2026-10-22

Preliminary Agenda

9:00-9:15
Opening remarks

9:15-10:45
Keynote session 1: Evolution of research security domain on international level

  • The keynote session aims to address the question of what each researcher should be aware of in the context of current geopolitical risks and security threats through presenting the latest policy developments, implementation challenges and research insights on protecting science and innovation on international level.
    Keynote presentations from the representatives of the European Commission, OECD and NATO (TBC)

10:45-11:15
Coffee break

11:15-12:30
Keynote session 2: Development of research security policy and implementation guidelines for Lithuania

  • The keynote session aims to present the national guidelines for research security and innovation in Lithuania, current situation of cybersecurity of Lithuanian higher education and research sector as well as research security issues emerging in industry-research collaborations.
    Keynote presentations from the representatives of Lithuanian government institutions, academia and industry (TBC)

12:15-13:30
Reception lunch

13:30-15:00
Interactive panel / parallel sessions: Balancing academic freedom and risks in research security practices (1)

  • Interactive panel/ parallel session will be oriented towards sharing and discussing the best practice about the research security policy and implementation through balancing risks and academic freedom.
    Discussions will be based on the presentations of cases from the universities of Europe (including European University Alliances) and Indo-Pacific Region (TBC).

14:30-15:00
Coffee break

15:00-16:15
Interactive panel / parallel sessions: Balancing academic freedom and risks in research security practices (2)

  • Interactive panel/ parallel session will be oriented towards sharing and discussing the best practice about the research security policy and implementation through balancing risks and academic freedom.
    Discussions will be based on the presentations of cases from the universities of Europe (including European University Alliances) and Indo-Pacific Region (TBC).

16:15-17:00
Panel discussion: “Establishing a framework for long-term sustainable development of research security in Lithuania”

  • The panel will attempt to identify the opportunities, challenges and the next steps for establishment a framework for research security policy and implementation on national as well as institutional level in Lithuania.
    Panelists from Lithuanian government, higher education and research institutions and international partners (TBC).

17:00
Closing of the event and refreshments