Effects of National Security Controls on Unclassified Scientific and Technical Research and Communication

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Issues of openness, secrecy, and sharing in the communication of scientific and technical information are central both to scientific progress and to individual, group and societal control. Beginning in the late 1970s, the United States enacted export laws and administrative regulations governing the transfer of technology to countries that could be potential adversaries. Since these laws defined "technology transfer" to include dissemination of scientific and technical information, policy makers applied them to presentations of unclassified reports and attendance of certain foreign nationals at technical meetings; institutions receiving grants signed contracts allowing agencies to review and edit papers prior to publication. Many representatives of the scientific and engineering communities voiced opposition to these policies, viewing them as violative of free speech and destructive to the open environment in which science can flourish. Little systematic research has been done on the impacts of these controls, however. This project will provide information about the effects of national security controls on the conduct of unclassified scientific research and the dissemination of its results. With oversight from a balanced advisory group, the project team will undertake a telephone survey of 2,000 active scientists and engineers, research managers, leaders in scientific societies, and journal editors to: (1) determine the extent to which they understand the restrictions; (2) assess how they balance values of openness with protection of national security, and (3) document the impact of restrictions on research practice and dissemination. The project's findings, including policy recommendations, will be made widely available through a monograph, articles, symposia, and press releases. This project is being undertaken by a well-qualified team of researchers and advisors; institutional support is very good. The research and dissemination plans are appropriate; results will provide rich data about the impacts of secrecy policies on research. Results will be relevant to both researchers and policymakers. Support is recommended.