Commission on Ethics in Security-Related Research (KEF)

Security-Related Research

Security-related research encompasses scientific work that has the potential to generate knowledge, products, or technologies that could be misused (by third parties¹) to harm human dignity, life, health, freedom, property, the environment, or peaceful coexistence. Such research is classified as “of concern” if the misuse can occur immediately² and the potential harm is significant.

¹ In addition to misuse by the individuals involved in the research process themselves, attention must also be paid here to the unintended consequences of knowledge transfer to uninvolved individuals, groups of individuals, and government actors acting on their own initiative.

² Directness exists when there are no additional significant intermediate steps that require judgment. In this context, the skills, expertise, technical equipment, and other resources necessary for the abuse, as well as the resulting time frame for carrying out abuse scenarios, are decisive.

Scope of Responsibilities of Ostfalia’s KEF

Civilian research and technology fields often operate at the intersection of academic freedom and responsibility. Within this framework, the KEF addresses ethical issues and challenges that, due to current events, affect Ostfalia, individual departments, or researchers. The focus is on providing guidance regarding security-related research, particularly in the context of potential dual-use applications.

Compliance with legal regulations, guidelines, and codes of conduct of the research institution,
necessary requirements for data protection and data security,
uncertainties arising from involved researchers and third-party funders, e.g., international or military cooperation partnerships,
risk-benefit analysis, e.g., the probability of harm occurring, the potential extent of harm, further options for action or possible requirements for risk minimization, the consequences of not carrying out the research project,
the legitimacy of the goals and purposes of the individuals involved in the research project, as well as possible unintended uses by third parties, and
the questionable classification of the project as basic research or its proximity to practical application and the corresponding immediate potential for misuse.
Regular exchange with the Joint Committee on the Handling of Security-Related Research of the DFG and Leopoldina

Commission Members

Chair
Vice President Prof. Dr. I. Schiering

Deputy Chair
Prof. Dr. S. Ohl, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology

Other Commission Members:

Professors
Prof. Dr. J.-F. Laß, Faculty of Automotive Engineering
Prof. Dr. F. Klinge, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Prof. Dr. T. Harmsen, Faculty of Social Work
Prof. Dr. X. Liu-Henke, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Prof. Dr. A. Ligocki, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Research Assistants
N. Peters, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
K. Bolze, Faculty of Automotive Engineering
G. Bender, Faculty of Business

MTV
N. Fladerer, Faculty of Health and Health Care Sciences
C. Klingenberg, Faculty of Law
Dr. D. Auerbach, Executive Board/Project Management

Students
Lennard Wilhelm, Faculty of Social Work
Aaron Müller, Faculty of Supply Engineering

Key questions

Key questions for researchers indicating the need for advice from a KEF

Based on the current state of knowledge, can it be ruled out that the research in question constitutes security-relevant research in the sense described above and/or in the contexts described above?
Could collaboration with partners or funders give rise to security-related risks in the sense described above?
Are there any legal provisions that affect the research project and may prevent it from being carried out, such that a compliance body is also responsible alongside the KEF?
Are there concerns regarding an unintended outflow of knowledge and expertise or unauthorised influence by state or non-state actors within the framework of a research collaboration?

Key questions for the KEFs’ consideration of the enquiry

Is the necessary specialist expertise available to make an informed assessment of the research in terms of potential risks in the sense described above, as well as legal issues and other research risks, or must further expertise be sought?
Can the benefits and risks of the known or potential research findings be sufficiently specified in the sense described above in the sense described above, and, where necessary, weighed up against one another?
What specific objectives and purposes are researchers, research partners and, where applicable, funders pursuing with the research project?
How likely is it that security-relevant findings from the research project will be disseminated and that, as a result, a specific instance of misuse within the meaning of the above-mentioned definition of concerning security-relevant research?
Does the work give rise to or increase security-relevant risks, or does the risk potential remain constant, for example because comparable security-relevant information and findings from other studies have already been published?
In the event of misuse of the findings (by third parties), what would be the potential extent of the harm, and are suitable countermeasures available?
What negative consequences might the omission of the research project have?

Key questions for the final assessment and consultation by the KEF

Is it highly likely that the research could generate knowledge, products or technologies that could be misused (by third parties) to cause significant harm to the legal interests mentioned above?
Is the work, or are its aims and objectives, compatible with the values enshrined in the Basic Law and the Basic Order, or with the research institution’s guidelines?
Can security-related risks associated with the project be sufficiently mitigated through conditions (e.g. a usage agreement or an alternative research strategy) or by adjusting the publication and knowledge transfer strategy?
Should the project be reassessed by the KEF at a later stage, once security-related risks can be better assessed?
How can researchers involved in the work be made aware of the ethical aspects of security-related research, so that they can consider both immediate and future consequences?

Applications

Who can submit an application or provide information?

Members of Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences. Anonymous reports may also be submitted. The Commission is under no obligation to investigate anonymous reports.

When should an application be submitted?

Members of Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences should submit an application for review by the KEF prior to carrying out any research projects that may have security implications within the meaning of Section 1(2). An application for review by the KEF should also be submitted if relevant security aspects only become apparent during the course of a research project.

Submission of applications

Please submit your applications to the Chair of the Commission, Vice-President Prof. Dr Ina Schiering (subject line: KEF).

Prof. Dr. Ina Schiering

Building A, Room A010, Wolfenbüttel

Should you have any queries regarding the wording of your application to the Senate Commission on Ethics in Security-Related Research, please feel free to contact one of the members.