National Security Higher Education Advisory Board

The National Security Higher Education Advisory Board (NSHEAB) was created by American Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Robert S. Mueller III on 15 December 2005.[1] Operated by the FBI and paneled by approximately 20 American university presidents and chancellors, the expressed purpose of the board is "to foster outreach and to promote understanding between higher education and the Federal Bureau of Investigation." The board also facilitates communication between universities and federal authorities on "national priorities pertaining to terrorism, counterintelligence, and homeland security." NSHEAB meets approximately three times yearly and includes representatives from the Central Intelligence Agency and other security agencies.[2]

The National Security Higher Education Advisory Board is a part of "IARPA's mission to invest in high-risk/high-payoff research programs that have the potential to provide the United States with an overwhelming intelligence advantage over future adversaries."

– FBI National Press Release, 2009[3]

A stated goal of NSHEAB is to prevent the theft of sensitive research conducted at American universities.[4]

Since its creation NSHEAB has brought university and FBI officials together to discuss weapons of mass destruction, bioterrorism, threats to university research facilities, and "the promotion of strategic national security partnerships with academia [in] the United States."[5] NSHEAB has also been a forum within which Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) has encouraged universities to engage in "high-risk/high-payoff" research intended to "provide the United States with an overwhelming intelligence advantage over future adversaries."[6] Some academics have expressed concern over the collaboration between FBI and university officials due to the agency's past espionage directed against individuals in the academic community.[7] NSHEAB's work and the increased cooperation between federal authorities and academia is facilitated by the political framework brought about by the war on terror.[8]

NSHEAB is currently chaired by Graham Spanier, former president of Pennsylvania State University. Notable members of NSHEAB include or have included former United States Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, MIT president Susan Hockfield,[9] and U.C. Davis chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi.[10]

References

  1. ^ National Press Release, "FBI Director Appoints National Security Higher Education Advisory Board," 15 December 2005: [1].
  2. ^ "AAAS S&T Policy Forum Takes a Closer Look at Cyber-Warfare," Targeted News Service, 28 May 2010.
  3. ^ [2] Federal Bureau of Investigation National Press Release, 03 November, 2009
  4. ^ Geron, Tomio, "Board works to guard research," The Oakland Tribune, 21 February 2006.
  5. ^ National Press Release, "FBI Director Appoints National Security Higher Education Advisory Board," 2 October 2008: [3].
  6. ^ National Press Release, "FBI Director Appoints National Security Higher Education Advisory Board," 3 November 2009: [4].
  7. ^ Timmer, John, "FBI-.edu security partnership trying to overcome decades of mistrust," Ars technica, November 2007: [5].
  8. ^ Temple-Raston, Dina, "FBI and Universities Unite to Fight Terror," NPR, 7 November 2007: [6].
  9. ^ National Press Release, "FBI Director Appoints National Security Higher Education Advisory Board," 15 December 2005: [7].
  10. ^ Hood, Jack, "UC Davis Chancellor Katehi’s past: Police repression in Greece, FBI spying in the US." World Socialist Web Site, 28 November 2011:[8].