Lamar University places the utmost importance on securing research data. Faculty, staff, and student employees at Lamar University must uphold the integrity of all campus research records and ensure that robust data security measures are in place. In accordance, the University has developed a research security framework to promote secure academic research while mitigating the risk of foreign espionage and outside interference in accordance with Texas Education Code 51.956. This framework encompasses a series of Lamar University’s research administration policies.
Policies concerning research administration can be found on the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs Administration's (ORSPA) website here. The policies most directly addressing research security topics required by the Texas Education Code (TEC) are those outlining Export Control and Responsible Conduct in Research. Researcher training is completed through the CITI program and overseen by the Research Compliance Officer, who is also designated as the institution's Research Security Officer.
Primary responsibility for compliance lies with the Research Compliance Officer and the Chief Research Officer, as outlined in the Comprehensive Research Policy. This document indicates clear lines of reporting and responsibility regarding research compliance and security.
Lamar University has demonstrated steadfast commitment to data security with the establishment of the Data Management Officer and the Data Governance Committee. Together, the Data Management Officer and the Data Governance Committee is responsible for implementing policies and procedures for secure data management.
Information Technology (IT) employs an Information Security Officer and also maintains robust policies concerning data management and security. IT's Prohibited Technologies policy establishes administrative controls requiring reviews of institutional research activities and grants to comply with State and Federal codes.
Research Security Training is designed to create awareness of, and protect the research enterprise against, external threats and risks to U.S. funded research and the values of responsible conduct of research, research ethics, and rigor & reproducibility, which underpin our research enterprise. The aim of research security training is to raise awareness of risks among funded researchers and research institutions and to highlight resources to guard against the same.
Research Security training is listed as one of four elements of a Research Security Program required by NSPM-33 and for higher education institutions receiving CHIPS funded federal research.
| Funding Agency | Covered Individual Training Requirement | Policy Statement |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | As required in specific research grants or contracts | Pending publication |
| Department of Energy | Must complete research security training within 12 months prior to submitting funding application | https://www.energy.gov/ia/research-security-training-requirement |
| NASA | As required in specific research grants or contracts | Pending publication |
| National Institutes of Health | Must complete research security training prior to submitting funding application | https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-25-161.html |
| National Science Foundation | Must complete research security training within 12 months prior to submitting funding application | https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1/ch-9-recipient-standards#c-research-security-ac3 |
This research security framework, administered by multiple divisions and departments at Lamar University, accomplishes the standards set forth by TEC 51.956. These policies are subject to revision as Lamar continues to set the bar for excellence in furthering its research mission.