Vraag 2 | The hunt for science: what’s there to gain at the UvA? (Dutch spoken)
Universities have become more alert in recent years to attempts by countries such as China and Russia to get their hands on sensitive Dutch knowledge. Extortion and intimidation of scientists are not uncommon in this regard. But what exactly is there to get at universities? You can hear it from Jaap Weijermans, Head of Integral Security at the UvA, in Question 2 on Spotify.
In this episode of Vraag 2, editor Jip Koene talks to Jaap Weijermans, Head of Integral Security at the UvA and chairman of the Network Integral Security Universities of the Netherlands. Weijermans is also the person to whom UvA academics can turn if they face harassment or threats.
The UvA receives weekly reports from scientists who feel threatened or intimidated. This is not always about knowledge. “When it comes to knowledge security, we are talking about an average of about two reports per month,” says Weijermans. “To give an idea, you see it from James Bond methods, where someone physically comes by and tries to make contact, to high-tech methods of bugging or reading equipment.”
Intimidating e-mails, extortion or even a company trying to establish itself at Science Park are examples of ways in which knowledge is captured, says Weijermans. “Fortunately, we are often quick to catch on, so real knowledge leaks remain limited.”
Listen to the latest podcast episode on Dutch sex education on Spotify.
Production & presentation: Jip Koene
Final editor: Irene Schoenmacker
Music: Paolo Argento
