Wanted! Contributors for future issues of PinPoint

We are in the process of planning the next two issues of our policy briefing, PinPoint (the sister publication of The Protagonist) and we’re looking for members who would be prepared to contribute short pieces. If you’ve not seen PinPoint before, check out our first two issues here. 

Issues 3 and 4 will cover the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) and Digital Ethics.
Further details of each policy briefing are as follows, along with details of who to contact if you’re interested in contributing.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) briefing

In production, please email Chloe Jeffries to contribute

The requirements for researchers who use sensitive technology are tightening. The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) is a British government initiative for certifying foreign students for entry into the UK to study or conduct research in certain sensitive technology-related fields. In May 2021, the scheme expanded beyond its student remit. Now all researchers (including post-doctoral researchers, visiting researchers and academic staff) are required to hold an ATAS certificate before applying for a visa to conduct activities on UK soil that could result in the Intangible Transfer of Technology (ITT) to weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and Advanced Conventional Military Technology (ACMT) programmes of concern

Whilst recognising the reasons for revised policies, we urgently need to collate experiences of implementing this expanded scheme to help support colleagues across a range of institutions and, where necessary, feed back to policymakers and government departments. A better understanding of responses to this policy change may also help the ARMA community better deal with future developments in what is likely to be a growing area of concern.

The aim of this issue of PinPoint will be to provide ARMA members will an overview of:

• Recent changes to the Academic Technology Approval Scheme
• Processes developed by institutions in response to these changes, particularly those developed in consultation with Operations Managers, Student Support Teams and Human Resources, as well as IP and Tech Transfer offices
• Experience-based suggestions to collectively feedback to policy-makers and government offices
• Situate these developments within the wider landscape of increased export controls and a focus on ‘responsible research’

If you have expertise or examples to share on developing or implementing an institutional process around ATAS or related initiatives, please contact Chloe Jeffries to contribute.

Digital ethics 

In production: please email Tracey Duncombe to contribute

Emerging technologies create a number of ethical challenges that need to be considered by all stakeholders, and at the earliest possible opportunity.

The effects of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are already being felt on society with a wide range of potential applications being explored: from helping doctors diagnose medical conditions more effectively to allowing people to communicate across the globe using instantaneous speech recognition and translation software. Across industry and the public sector, organisations are working to develop their own digital ethics principles, policies and processes as issues of fairness, responsibility and accountability are increasingly called into question.

The launch of the UK Government’s Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation is one of a number initiatives that are seeking to bring ethics and innovation together. The CDEI’s aim: to analyse and anticipate the opportunities and risks posed by data-driven technology and put forward practical and evidence-based recommendations to address them. While, in 2018, the Open Data Institute joined forces with the UK Government’s Office for Artificial Intelligence and Innovate UK to assess data trusts as a potential approach to increasing trust and access to data.

The aim of this policy briefing is to provide ARMA members with an overview of:

• The relationship between data ethics and legal compliance
• Issues that might arise in digital/data practice
• Stewarding a culture of responsible innovation

If you have expertise or examples to share on developing or implementing an institutional code of practice, policy or framework on digital/data ethics please contact Tracey Duncombe to contribute.