New Report Outlines Security for China Research
Experts release guidelines for scholars and institutions navigating research risks related to China.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Language Learning
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MERICS has published a new report titled Secure Research on and in China: Lessons from Community Experiences. The document provides recommendations for safely conducting research in the region.
Why it matters
The report addresses the need for scholars and professionals to navigate complex risks when conducting research in China. It draws on collective experiences from across the academic, journalistic, and policy communities.
The report offers institutional and scholarly guidance derived from a multi-disciplinary workshop. Authors Jessica Batke, Katja Drinhausen, and Daria Impiombato compiled the recommendations.
The players
MERICS
The Mercator Institute for China Studies is a Berlin-based think tank that provides analysis on China-related developments.
Jessica Batke
She is a co-author of the report and an organizer of the Berlin workshop on research security.
Katja Drinhausen
She is an author of the report and a specialist in China research policy and security.
Daria Impiombato
She is an author of the report and an expert in conducting research in complex geopolitical environments.
ChinaFile
This is an online magazine that supported the research security workshop through a grant from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation.
The details
The report was developed to distill discussions from a workshop held in Berlin that brought together practitioners from industry, think tanks, journalism, and academia. These participants focused on strategies for conducting research responsibly while managing modern security challenges.
Timeline
June 2026: Workshop held in Berlin.
October 28, 2026: Official publication of the security report.
Culture Shift
This report marks a transition toward formalizing the MERICS research security framework for international scholars. It reflects a broader shift toward standardizing safety protocols for academic and journalistic projects conducted in politically sensitive regions.
Scholars and researchers can utilize these findings to better assess their own project safety and institutional compliance. Implementing these practices may require adjustments to current research methodology and data protection routines.
The takeaway
Maintaining transparency and institutional oversight is critical for researchers working in high-risk environments. Academics should consult these new guidelines to align their fieldwork with current safety standards.
Further reading
Learn more about navigating international study and research in our Language Learning section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ChinaFile.
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