Export control, digital learning and remote teaching
In most cases, teaching materials used for undergraduate teaching will not be controlled because they are in the public domain and/or cover basic scientific research. Postgraduate teaching materials may include information necessary for the development, production or use of controlled goods, e.g. in the form of applied research, shared equipment, research data, algorithms etc. Even if students have ATAS clearance, export controls may apply if they attend lectures / seminars / supervisions or access controlled technology remotely from abroad. In order to ensure that material is not inadvertently exported through remote teaching without the necessary licence, it is important that those running remote postgraduate teaching in relevant disciplines undertake due diligence to ensure that all materials sent to students overseas comply with export controls by reviewing whether
a) any teaching / research content is controlled;
b) anyone granted access to the content is working from outside the UK;
c) it is necessary to include controlled content in the teaching materials for remote teaching.
If it is not necessary to include controlled content, then it is recommended that this should be removed. Should removing controlled material be impossible, then a licence application will be needed. To apply for a licence please complete an Export Control Enquiry Form and submit this to researchgovernance@admin.cam.ac.uk.
Anyone teaching undergraduate or postgraduate courses who becomes aware, is informed or comes to suspect that the material they are sharing through the course will be used for a WMD purpose should seek advice by contacting researchgovernance@admin.cam.ac.uk.
Guidance on Remote Teaching and Export Control
For more detail on the above please read the Research Office guidance on managing export control compliance relating to remote teaching (Jan 2021). The guidance document is available below.
Guidance on Remote Teaching and Export Control