Security screening for university hires ‘de facto discriminatory’

European university group paper says research security measures are hampering movement of staff and students

Security screening for international researchers and students can lead to unintended discrimination, according to a paper published by the Cesaer group of European science and technology universities.

Concern that some countries are looking to take advantage of research collaborations with foreign partners to gain strategic advantage, particularly in some technology fields, has put pressure on universities to increase security measures in recent years.