Burgess

• The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) has publicly tabled an “awareness” of various attempts to compromise the sector.
• On the contrary, Australia’s flexible and proportionate response to the threat of foreign interference manages the risks without hampering the international collaboration that is essential to research in the 21st century.

Laggards or leaders?

• In a submission to a parliamentary inquiry in late 2020, ASIO contended that the research sector does not face a unique level of risk.
• Australia is generally ahead of the curve when it comes to identifying and managing this risk.

A changing landscape

• He said they had asked directly whether there was “any hard evidence” that foreign interference in universities was happening.
• The landscape has changed sharply since then.

A collaborative taskforce

• In 2019, the Universities Foreign Interference Taskforce was set up as a collaboration between government agencies and research institutions.
• The taskforce has crafted best-practice guidelines for managing the risks.
• Two months later, in another Estimates hearing, he commended universities for having been “very cooperative and collaborative working with government”.

A proportionate response

• The report “confirmed an understanding of the threats posed by foreign interference, and progress in implementing advice in the Guidelines”.
• The core principle behind the guidelines was to take “a sensible approach that is proportionate to risk”.

Essential collaborations

• What’s more, it may well have stunted Australia’s capacity for innovation in the process.
• They should not get in the way of the international collaboration that is essential for research institutions to perform their role.
• In many sectors where Australia has grand ambitions, such as the extraction and processing of critical minerals, China is the technology leader.

James Laurenceson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

• CHICAGO, Jan. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Global leadership advisory firm Russell Reynolds Associates (RRA) announced today the appointment of Gemma Burgess as a managing director to join Deb Barbanel as co-lead of the global real estate practice.
• "We welcome Gemma and the experience she brings to the Russell Reynolds team," said Constantine Alexandrakis, CEO, Russell Reynolds Associates.
• "Having Gemma as part of Russell Reynolds' leadership team brings innovative thinking and well-developed insights to our teammates and clients in the real estate sector and beyond.
• "I am ready to hit the ground running to help clients navigate the dynamic, challenging real estate environment," said Gemma Burgess.

• JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- One Call, a care coordination leader within the workers' compensation industry, today announced that Jessie Burgess has been appointed to the company's board of directors.
• His rich experience in information technology will be a major benefit to our company and the clients we serve.
• Burgess began his executive career after serving in the U.S. Air Force for five years as a communications and computer systems officer.
• "One Call has such a strong history and presence in the workers' compensation industry, and yet, I see so much untapped, future potential," said Burgess.

• Forms Logic , a cloud-based system for companies looking to integrate single data entry across multiple forms, announced today that Joel Friedman has been named to the executive team as Chief Operating Officer (COO).
• At Forms Logic, Friedman will leverage his unique blend of deep customer experience insights and fintech software acumen to advance the firm’s operational infrastructure, including guiding the ongoing evolution of the Forms Logic product offering, overseeing day-to-day operations, and continuing to build a team of innovative professionals.
• “We’re extremely fortunate at Forms Logic to have a client experience and wealth tech legend like Joel [Friedman] joining the team,” said Rick Burgess, CEO and Founder of Forms Logic.
• Forms Logic harnesses flexible technology to make changes swiftly, ensuring that every client benefits from our innovations promptly.