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Athena Research Center welcomed, on Monday, April 20, 2026, a delegation from the National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA) as part of a visit to Greece organized under the auspices of the Embassy of the United States in Greece, focusing on issues of Research Security and Research Integrity.

 

The meeting formed part of a broader series of engagements between the U.S. delegation and Greek research, innovation, and policy institutions, aiming to strengthen international collaboration and promote the exchange of expertise on emerging challenges in research administration and governance.

Opening the event, Professor Ioannis Emiris, President of the Board and Director General of Athena Research Center, presented the Center’s mission, research priorities, and strategic role within the national and international research and innovation ecosystem. Particular emphasis was placed on Athena’s activities in the fields of information technologies, Artificial Intelligence, and digital innovation, as well as on the growing importance of research security, data protection, and research integrity.

 

This was followed by a presentation from Jennifer Ponting, Associate Vice President for Research Administration at the University of Chicago, who addressed recent developments in the U.S. and international research administration landscape, highlighting evolving compliance requirements, the management of international collaborations, and policies aimed at safeguarding research activities.

 

Subsequently, Ara Tahmassian, Chief Research Compliance Officer at Harvard University, discussed the contemporary dimensions of research security and the challenges currently faced by universities and research organizations worldwide. His presentation focused on cybersecurity, sensitive data protection, risk management, transparency in international collaborations, and the protection of intellectual property.

 

Claire Yuqi Chen, Senior Executive at NCURA, presented the organization’s international initiatives and collaboration programs, emphasizing the role of science diplomacy and transnational networks in fostering secure and sustainable research partnerships.

 

During the discussion, participants underlined that research is increasingly interconnected with issues of national security, technological competitiveness, and economic strategy, leading to a gradual transition from a model of complete openness toward one of “managed openness,” where international scientific collaboration coexists with the need to protect critical knowledge, infrastructure, and sensitive data.

 

The discussion also highlighted the importance of developing institutional mechanisms, internal policies, and training initiatives capable of strengthening research security and integrity without undermining academic freedom and innovation.

 

An exchange of views followed regarding potential areas of collaboration between Athena Research Center and NCURA, particularly in the fields of research administration training, best-practice development, networking, and institutional preparedness for emerging research security challenges.

The visit followed the successful completion of a three-month international training program on Research Security and Integrity, involving representatives from Greek universities, research centers, and public institutions, and contributing to the establishment of an active network for cooperation and knowledge exchange between Greece and the United States.

 

The National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA) is an international non-profit organization with more than 9,000 members from universities, research institutions, and hospitals across more than 40 countries. Its mission is to advance excellence in research administration and management through education, professional development, international collaboration, and the exchange of best practices.