REGISTRATION WILL OPEN THE 2nd WEEK OF NOVEMBER

Welcome

On behalf of Dr. Kevin Gamache, Executive Director of the Academic Security and Counter Exploitation (ASCE) Conference, the 2027 ASCE Conference Committee (see roster below) is pleased to announce the the theme for ASCE 2027 | Securing the Second Decade: From Compliance to Culture in Research Security, with a focus on the following four thematic areas:

1. From Compliance to Culture: Research Security as a Shared Responsibility - Shifts research security from a checkbox requirement to a shared institutional value and everyday practice. 
2. Open Research in a Contested World: Trusted Collaboration and International Partnerships - Balances the openness essential to science with the need to vet and structure international partnerships responsibly. 
3. Protecting Critical Knowledge: Emerging Technology, Data, and Dual-Use Research - Addresses safeguarding sensitive data and dual-use technologies like AI, quantum, and biotech without stifling innovation. 
4. Counter-Exploitation and Resilience: Threat Awareness, Response, and Recovery - Recognizing espionage and exploitation attempts and building institutional capacity to respond and recover. 

The conference agenda and registration is expected to open early November.

One important note on program format: we heard you. Feedback from the ASCE 2026 community was clear — you value connection and conversation as much as you value content. In response, ASCE 2027 will feature a more intentionally designed program, offering a more limited number of curated sessions alongside expanded flex and networking time built into the mornings and between afternoon sessions. Our goal is to give you more space to connect with colleagues, continue conversations sparked in the sessions, and make the most of the remarkable community that gathers at ASCE each year. 

We look forward to bringing together the ASCE community in College Station (in-person and virtually) to reflect on the progress of the first decade and define the culture, capabilities, and partnerships needed for the decade ahead. If you are in need of a letter of invitation prior to attending ASCE, please email jwhisenant@tamu.edu. 

Respectfully,
2027 ASCE Conference Committee

A message from Dr. Kevin Gamache, Executive Director of the Academic Security and Counter Exploitation (ASC) Conference:

As ASCE enters its second decade, the international research security community is confronting a more complex and mature set of challenges. The work ahead is no longer only about recognizing risks or meeting compliance requirements — it is about building a lasting culture of research security that protects people, partnerships, data, intellectual property, emerging technologies, and the integrity of the research enterprise, while preserving openness, academic freedom, and international collaboration.

Across panels, workshops, case studies, tabletop exercises, and community discussions, ASCE 2027 will highlight practical approaches for advancing research security programs, strengthening trusted collaboration, protecting critical knowledge, and countering exploitation in an evolving global environment.

The 2027 ASCE conference theme is “Securing the Second Decade: From Compliance to Culture in Research Security.” The ASCE community will soon hear more about the 2027 conference thematic areas when the Chairs issue the call for 2027 proposals in July. Stay tuned — this is going to be a remarkable year.

To Allen, Akshay and the members of the 2027 Conference Committee— thank you for your willingness to serve, your leadership in the international research security community, and your continued commitment to making ASCE the world's preeminent conference in this space. We are grateful and excited to work alongside you all.

The Academic Security and Counter Exploitation Conference is an international program under the Texas A&M University RISC Institute, in the Bush School of Government and Public Service.