One of Australia’s top universities has implemented stricter guidelines on research collaborations with Iran, Russia, Belarus, and North Korea, cautioning that even informal partnerships could violate sanctions and lead to criminal charges.

This development follows a broader initiative among universities nationwide to reassess their international partnerships, driven by heightened scrutiny from the federal government. The Group of Eight has indicated that academic institutions are examining their connections with countries under sanctions.

According to an internal email obtained by SBS News, Dane McCamey, the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research at the University of New South Wales, instructed faculty not to begin or maintain collaborations with individuals or organizations in these four nations without obtaining senior-level clearance.

McCamey explained in the email, “Due to the swiftly changing geopolitical environment, the Australian government now demands that universities exercise increased vigilance and oversight regarding international partnerships.”

He emphasized the importance of UNSW being fully informed about all engagements with individuals or entities in Iran, Russia, Belarus, or North Korea to ensure that no activities, whether deliberate or accidental, breach the sanctions in place for these countries or deviate from Australian government expectations.

“Consequently,” McCamey stated, “any interactions with individuals or entities in these nations require prior authorization from your Dean or the Pro Vice-Chancellor Research.”

McCamey also said researchers who fail to comply with the direction may face “serious consequences”, including committing the criminal offence of breaching sanctions, which can lead to up to 10 years in prison.

“Even providing technical assistance (such as editorial guidance) to individuals or entities in these countries may be considered a breach of sanctions,” McCamey said.

McCamey said the university’s direction is a response to the “shift in Australia’s foreign policy towards the governments of these countries”.

“[It] is not in any way meant to disadvantage members of the UNSW community who come from, or have strong ties to these countries,” McCamey said.

A UNSW Sydney spokesperson said the university had received “updated advice” from the Australian government before sending the email to remind staff to seek approval for any activity with institutions in sanctioned countries.

Under Australian law, a range of measures could be applied to sanctioned countries, including asking universities not to provide a sanctioned service and dealing with a designated person or entity.

According to the guidelines by the Australian Sanctions Office, these include enrolling a student and employing a person from a country subject to sanctions, and collaborating with another person or entity from a country subject to sanctions.

A spokesperson for the Group of Eight, which represents Australia’s eight research universities, told SBS News that the universities are undergoing checks following the government’s instruction.

“Universities have been asked to investigate institution-to-institution relationships, and the universities are doing their due diligence,” the spokesperson said.

“The Group of Eight absolutely committed to national security and protecting that which must be protected, and will continue to work closely with the government.”

The Department of Education and the Department of Home Affairs, which oversee the University Foreign Interference Taskforce, have been contacted for comment.

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