Has Australian security policy curbed China research collaboration?

Sustained Research Collaboration Despite Tensions

Australia-China educational research collaboration has expanded over the last decade, even as diplomatic relations faced challenges and national security concerns grew. A study of education articles co-authored by researchers from both countries, indexed in Web of Science between 2015 and 2024, reveals a consistent upward trend.

Annual output increased from 33 articles in 2015, surpassing 100 for the first time in 2022, and reaching its highest volume in 2024. The number of publications surged by 53.7% between 2023 and 2024 alone, with articles published in 2024 making up 22.5% of the total dataset for the ten-year period.

This pattern suggests that scholarly relationships and shared research interests can maintain cooperation even during broader political difficulties, challenging the notion that geopolitical friction automatically leads to academic disengagement.

Policy Framework and Underlying Fragilities

This expansion occurs within a stricter regulatory environment for Australian universities. The Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Amendment Act 2026 mandates that universities identify and evaluate research projects involving foreign entities against Australia's national interest and foreign policy considerations.

While government guidance reinforces these responsibilities, it also stipulates that safeguards should be proportionate to risk and facilitate, rather than restrict, low-risk academic activities. However, the overall growth in collaboration masks a more concentrated and potentially fragile structure. The study identified 51 distinct groups among 510 contributing authors.

The largest group comprised 281 researchers, representing 55.1% of the network, showing substantial interconnectedness by 2024. Many of these central figures are established, highly cited scholars.

Concentration of Networks and Scrutiny Risks

The concentration of Australia-China educational research within a relatively small number of highly networked individuals suggests that the resilience of these collaborations may depend disproportionately on these key figures.

While these researchers, many of whom are established and highly cited, play a vital role in connecting institutions and research teams, their extensive cross-border connections can also draw increased scrutiny.

This creates a dynamic where the very individuals sustaining academic engagement during institutional challenges may also become focal points for research security concerns.

The findings differentiate between foreign interference and international collaboration, stressing that security risk cannot be solely determined by a research partner's nationality or the aggregate volume of collaboration.

Different types of research, such as teacher education or language learning, carry different risk profiles compared to sensitive infrastructure or critical technology.

Broader International Networks and Implications for Asia

Australia-China educational research is not isolated to the two countries. The broader network includes significant participation from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, alongside New Zealand and Singapore. This highlights that international research increasingly operates through interconnected global networks.

Consequently, any weakening of a bilateral relationship could have ripple effects beyond the two directly involved nations, potentially impacting wider academic and scientific ecosystems.

For decision-makers in Asia, this implies that policy adjustments impacting cross-border academic collaboration, such as those related to foreign relations acts or security assessments, should consider their broader regional and global network implications.

Asian universities and research institutions engaged in similar cross-border projects, particularly with Australia or China, may face heightened due diligence requirements and a need to assess the specific risk profiles of their collaborations, especially concerning sensitive fields or technologies.

The growth in publications through 2024 indicates that collaboration can persist, but its structure and the specific fields of research will determine its future resilience and vulnerability to scrutiny.