Advice on Security-relevant Research with Substantial Hazard Potential (RSH)

Freedom of research is of high importance in Germany and protected by the German Basic Law. Section 5a of German Basic Law states: “Art and scholarship, research, and teaching shall be free.. […].” Freedom of research is an essential foundation for the pursuit of new knowledge and for the prosperity of our society.

At the same time, there is a risk in almost all scientific disciplines that important and useful research results are abused for harmful purposes. This so-called dual-use problem continues to trigger debate about the benefits and risks of individual research projects. This concerns, for example, research on the portability of highly pathogenic viruses to humans (such as avian influenza viruses) or the determination of personality traits based on social media activities in order to influence public opinion.

In order to support scholars and scientists in the responsible handling of potential research risks, the University of Cologne has established the Committee for Advice on Security-relevant Research with substantial Hazard Potential in 2017. In the field of tension between academic freedom and responsibility in research, the committee offers the members of the UoC advice and an independent assessment of ethical and legal aspects in security-relevant research with substantial hazard potential. In addition, within the University of Cologne, it promotes awareness-raising for security-relevant aspects of research.

This applies, in particular, to research projects where there are significant safety risks to human dignity, life, health, freedom, property, the environment or the peaceful coexistence of peoples, or which are likely to produce knowledge, products or technologies that can directly be misused by third parties.

Contact Person:

• Ombudsperson of the Committee for Advice on Security-relevant Research with Substantial Hazard Potential: Professor Dr Ute Höcker

Further Reading:

• DFG, Leopoldina (2014) Scientific Freedom and Scientific Responsibility. Recommendations for Handling Security-Relevant Research(PDF)
• Deutscher Ethikrat (2014): Biosecurity – freedom and responsibility of research (PDF, in German)
• Progress Report (2022): Joint Committee of DFG and Leopoldina on the Handling of Security-Relevant Research
• Scientific Freedom and Scientific Responsibility: Recommendations for Handling of Security-Relevant Research

Guidelines

• Guidelines for the Commission for Advice on Security Relevant Research with substantial Hazard Potential (RHS) at the University of Cologne (PDF)