Events

4th HEECA Annual Conference

Wednesday 04 & Thursday 05 June 2025
Unity Place, Milton Keynes

We’re pleased to announce that the HEECA Annual Conference is back!

Returning for a fourth year, this event will bring together practitioners from across the UK higher education sector, alongside invaluable contributions from UK Government, funders, industry experts, and international partners (including the U.S., EU, Australia and Canada) – fostering a dynamic space for diverse perspectives and driving forward the conversations that matter most to our community.

Building on the successes of previous years, this year’s conference will continue to focus on exploring the ever-evolving complexities of the security landscape in higher education, providing a unique opportunity to deepen your knowledge, grow your network, and stay ahead of the latest developments in research and economic security.

What to Expect:
Engaging Panels & Live Q&A: Dive into thought-provoking discussions led by subject matter experts and interact with panellists during dedicated Q&A sessions.

Workshops & Seminars: Explore key topics in research and economic security through focused, seminar-style sessions and hands-on workshops.

Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers and expand your professional network during structured sessions and informal breaks.

To continue parity of access to this crucial area, the HEECA Annual Conference remains free to attend! Individuals are required to fund their associated travel and accommodation requirements only.

Interested in presenting or speaking on a particular topic as part of the agenda? We’d love to hear from you. Please contact us at enquiries@heeca.org.uk to discuss your ideas and potential contributions.

Please note the conference will operate differing start and end timings on both days:

• Wednesday 4th June 09:30 – 17:00
• Thursday 5th June 09:30 – 15:00

Please note once you have completed the registration form, your registration details will be reviewed and we will contact you to confirm your place as soon as possible.

Registration - 66 places remaining.
Please complete the form below to request a place for this event.

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Institution: Please select your institution Abertay University Aberystwyth University Anglia Ruskin University Aston University Bangor University Bath Spa University Birkbeck, University of London Birmingham City University Bishop Grosseteste University Bournemouth University Brunel University London Buckinghamshire New University Canterbury Christ Church University Cardiff Metropolitan University Cardiff University City, University of London Courtauld Institute of Art Coventry University Cranfield University De Montfort University Durham University Edge Hill University Edinburgh Napier University Falmouth University Glasgow Caledonian University Goldsmiths, University of London Guildhall School of Music and Drama Heriot-Watt University Imperial College London Keele University King's College London Kingston University Lancaster University Leeds Beckett University Leeds Trinity University Liverpool Hope University Liverpool John Moores University London Business School London Metropolitan University London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine London South Bank University Loughborough University Manchester Metropolitan University Middlesex University Newcastle University Northumbria University Norwich University of the Arts Nottingham Trent University Oxford Brookes University Plymouth Marjon University Queen Margaret University Queen Mary University of London Queen's University Belfast Regent's University London Robert Gordon University Royal College of Art Royal College of Music, London Royal Holloway, University of London Sheffield Hallam University SOAS, University of London Solent University St George's, University of London St Mary's University, Twickenham Staffordshire University Swansea University Teesside University The Glasgow School of Art The London School of Economics and Political Science The Open University The Royal Central School of Speech & Drama The Royal Veterinary College The University of Buckingham The University of Manchester The University of Nottingham The University of Sheffield The University of West London Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance Ulster University University College London University for the Creative Arts University of Aberdeen University of Bath University of Bedfordshire University of Birmingham University of Bolton University of Bradford University of Brighton University of Bristol University of Cambridge University of Central Lancashire University of Chester University of Chichester University of Cumbria University of Derby University of Dundee University of East Anglia University of East London University of Edinburgh University of Essex University of Exeter University of Gibraltar University of Glasgow University of Gloucestershire University of Greenwich University of Hertfordshire University of Huddersfield University of Hull University of Kent University of Leeds University of Leicester University of Lincoln University of Liverpool University of London University of Northampton University of Oxford University of Plymouth University of Portsmouth University of Reading University of Roehampton University of Salford University of South Wales University of Southampton University of St Andrews University of Stirling University of Strathclyde University of Suffolk University of Sunderland University of Surrey University of Sussex University of the Arts London University of the Highlands and Islands University of the West of England, Bristol University of the West of Scotland University of Wales Trinity Saint David University of Warwick University of Westminster University of Winchester University of Wolverhampton University of Worcester University of York Wrexham Glyndwr University York St John University Other

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National Security & Investment (NSI) Act – Higher Education (HE) Workshop

Wednesday 18 October 2023
09:30 - 12:00 BST
Online (via Microsoft Teams)

In collaboration with the Investment Security Unit (ISU), HEECA is pleased to offer a workshop on the National Security Investment (NSI) Act and its interaction with the Higher Education (HE) sector.

The workshop will be an interactive event intended to provide insight into how the HE sector interacts with the Act, facilitate discussion and provide a toolkit to support the sector engaging with this legislation compliantly. No prior preparation or knowledge is needed as a basic introduction to the NSI Act in the context of the HE sector will be provided.

Agenda:

• An Introduction to the NSI Act – Rosemary Boyle, University of Cambridge
• Investment Screening Unit (ISU) – Alex Boardman, ISU
• University Experience - Cambridge, Cranfield, Imperial and Manchester
• NSI Triage and Assessment Toolkits, Questions and Discussion

Workshop Output Materials:

• HEECA NSI Act Triage Toolkit and Workflow

Registration has closed for this event.

HEECA & EECARO Secure Internationalisation Workshop

Wednesday 28 February 2024
09:30 - 14:30 CET
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Munich

HEECA and EECARO with support from the UK Science and Innovation Network (SIN) are pleased to invite you to a 1-day Secure Internationalisation Workshop which will convene Higher Education and Research Organisation communities across the UK and Europe to explore the holistic research and education security agenda.

During the workshop we will:

• Explore current security risks HEs & ROs are facing across research and education activities, and the resources and tools currently being used to manage those risks
• Discuss how our community can collaborate more with policymakers to inform current and future policy developments in the space
• Design a roadmap for future community activities and the associated national and international support

This workshop is free to attend, however individuals will be required to fund their associated travel and accommodation costs. This in an in-person event, taking place at Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft in Munich.

We encourage those planning to attend to also join us for the pre-workshop networking meal on the evening of Tuesday 27th February, where travel arrangements permit.

HEECA members attending the collaborative workshop are also welcomed to attend the EECARO Annual Conference - Export Controls in Challenging Geopolitical Times – due to take place on Tuesday 27th February, free of charge. You can find more about the full agenda here.

Please note registration is hosted by EECARO, and therefore registration comms received will be branded accordingly. Registration has closed for this event.

Higher Education Strategic Export Controls Training – Content Review Workshop

Wednesday 20 March 2024
10:00 - 16:00 BST
Cranfield University (Cranfield Campus)

As we approach 1 year of the HEECA Export Control training having been made freely available across the UK Higher Education sector, we reflect on the successes and challenges of the material and course content being released.

To inform developments and improvement of the course material, we will be holding a 1-day course feedback and development workshop to analyse participant feedback received to date, explore iterations and improvements to the content and look at ways to encourage and increase institutional adoption.

This is an in-person workshop and will take place at Cranfield University, Cranfield Campus. Registration has closed for this event.

3rd HEECA Annual Conference

Wednesday 05 June 2024
09:30 - 16:30 BST
University of Strathclyde, Glasgow

Our HEECA Annual Conference is back and this year to accommodate the growing diversity and volume of discussion topics, the conference is set to take place across 2 days.

The conference, now in its third year, continues to serve as a vital platform for practitioners, legal professionals, and institutional senior leaders to engage in thought-provoking discussions and stay ahead of the curve in all matters related to research security.

This year’s event promises to be a comprehensive experience, allowing you to gain invaluable insights from our research security subject matter experts, while keeping you informed of the latest national and international developments shaping the space. Beyond enriching your knowledge, the event offers ample opportunities for networking, and engaging in the exchange of best practices and lessons learned, as well as the opportunity to actively participate and have your say in live panel Q&A sessions.

The agenda is set to feature a robust lineup of highly relevant and timely sessions, including:

• National Security & Investment (NSI) Act and Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS)
• How to Manage and Prepare for an Export Control Audit (jointly delivered by University of Leeds & ECJU Auditors)
• Due Diligence Tools & Methods
• Government/Stakeholder Panel (NPSA, ECJU, RCAT and more TBA)
• Interactive, Scenario-Based Trusted Research Workshops
• US Export Control (input from US DoC BIS, MIT and AUECO)
• A Dive into the EU Landscape (with EECARO)
• An introduction to the HEECA Security Sub-group
• Managing Projects with Collaborators Subject to Export Control End-use Concerns or Sanctions

The conference is free to attend! Individuals are required to fund their associated travel and accommodation requirements only.

Please note the conference will operate differing start and end timings on both days:

• Wednesday 5th June 09:30 – 16:30
• Thursday 6th June 10:00 – 15:00

Registration has closed for this event.

HEECA-ECJU 2025 Export Controls Workshop Training Programme

Wednesday 22 January 2025
10:00 - 10:00 BST

Join us for a 6-month training programme, delivered in collaboration with the Export Control Joint Unit, designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the UK export control lifecycle. Through six targeted workshops, delegates from UK HEIs will gain critical insights into export controls.

Workshop schedule:
22nd January – Workshop 1 (In Person): The Foundations of UK Export Controls
10th February – Workshop 2 (Online): Ratings & Exceptions
18th March – Workshop 3 (Online): The ‘Who’ & Due Diligence
23rd April – Workshop 4 (In Person): Decision Making & Choosing Your Licence
14th May – Workshop 5 (Online): Navigating the Audit Process
4th June – Workshop 6 (In Person): Reflective Roundtable & Programme Review

Attendance at all sessions is required as part of this professional development programme.

To continue to ensure parity of access across all of the UK HE sector this programme is completely free to join! Delegates are only required to consider their associated travel costs (and accommodation where applicable) for the 3 in-person workshops. Registration has closed for this event.

HEECA Annual Conference 2023

Tuesday 11 July 2023 10:00-16:00 GMT

The second HEECA Annual Conference will bring together UK HE export control and Trusted Research professionals in collaboration with government (RCAT, ECJU, NPSA) and other key community stakeholders (UUK, UKRI) to discuss the key challenges and opportunities facing the sector.

The conference will include subject matter expert led discussions on:

• UK Export Control
• US Export Control
• National Security & Investment Act; and
• Trusted Research

At least half of the allocated time will be dedicated to delegate driven panel discussions and workshop sessions, with live Q&A opportunities. You can propose questions or topics for these sessions when registering to attend and help make the event as useful and community led as possible. A detailed agenda will be circulated nearer the time.

As part of our ongoing international collaborative relationships, we hope to have representatives from the European Export Control Association for Research Organisations (EECARO) and the US Association of Export Control Officers (AUECO) attending to help share best practice.

This event is being organised and delivered by the HEECA Secretariat at no charge to individual attendees, who will only need to fund their associated travel and accommodation requirements and we welcome multiple representatives from attending institutions. This event will take place in London at the Woburn House Conference Centre.

Please arrive from 9:30am for a 10:00am start. Lunch will be provided and the event will finish at 4:00pm.

HEECA End-Use Workshop

Tuesday 14 March 2023 10:00-12:00 GMT

End-use controls (controls that apply where the end-user may use an export for WMD or military uses or in ways that raise human rights concerns) can be particularly challenging for higher education institutions.

This virtual workshop will bring together HE and government speakers and facilitators to examine the controls, how they can impact research and approaches to effective due diligence. The session will be interactive and will explore a range of case studies designed to show how controls work in real life.

HEECA Annual Conference 2022

Wednesday 29 June 2022 09:00 – 16.00 GMT

As a new organisation, this was the first opportunity to bring colleagues from across the UK Higher Education sector together with representatives from the UK Government.

The conference gave attendees an opportunity to have practical, professional discussions, to learn about Export Control compliance in the higher education context and to exchange experiences and ideas, and discuss specific issues.

The conference covered the following areas:

• Introduction to HEECA & Export Control
• Introduction to the Research Collaboration Advice Team (RCAT)
• Benchmark controls
• Compliance in practice
• Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU)
• US Export Control

HEECA Export Control Forum

Wednesday 27 April 2022 2022 11:00 – 13.00 GMT

The first HEECA forum event was a forerunner to our first national annual conference and aimed to introduce HEECA to colleagues across the Higher Education sector, and provide updates on our current and future activities. 

The forum covered the following areas:

• Welcome and Introduction to HEECA
• Research Collaboration Advice Team (RCAT) Representative
• Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) Representative
• Update on Research England Development Fund Export Controls Training progress
• HEECA Roadmap and Outputs
• Questions