Safeguarding Your Research – Understanding Research Security
Four-part series on Research Security
Are you involved in research, publishing, or international collaboration? Don’t miss this
essential four-part series on Research Security—a critical topic for protecting your work,
your reputation, and your future opportunities.
Each one-hour session is open to all UMBC faculty, staff, and students and will provide
clear, practical guidance you can apply right away.
Session 1: Predatory Conferences & Academic Paper Mills
Thursday, September 18 at noon
● How to spot and avoid traps that could damage your professional standing
● Why recognizing unscrupulous academic platforms matters now more than ever
● Who to contact at UMBC with concerns about a possible predatory conference or
paper mill
Session 2: Conflict of Interest Matters
Thursday, October 23 at noon
● How UMBC identifies and manages COIs
● Which types of conflicts can—and cannot—be managed
● Practical recommendations for COI plan managers
● The steps for managing a potential COI
Session 3: Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs (MFTRPs)
Friday, November 7 at noon
● MFTRPs are designed to exploit and/or illegally obtain US technology and
research and differ from collaborative foreign engagements that are beneficial to
all parties
● Federal policy on MFTRPs
● Key signs of a potential MFTRP
● Who to alert—and when—if you receive a suspicious solicitation
Session 4: Export Controls at UMBC
Friday, December 5 at noon
● Demystifying export controls in the university research context
● Overview of the different export control regimes
● When export controls may apply to overseas travel
● Identifying potential export-controlled items
Why Attend? You’ll learn how these issues can directly impact your funding,
collaborations, travel, publishing, and long-term career opportunities—and how to
navigate them confidently and responsibly.
There will also be time for Q & A with OPRC staff.
All webinars will be held over Webex – please use the meeting links below each topic to
sign up.
Questions? Contact: researchintegrity@umbc.edu
Posted: August 25, 2025, 9:33 AM