Foreign Interference and Collaboration Committee
The University of New England's Foreign Interference and Collaboration Committee (the FICC, the Committee) is a Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer Committee (VC&CEO), established to oversee and provide advice on matters related to foreign collaboration, foreign interference (FI), foreign influence, and defence research. The Committee plays a critical role in ensuring UNE’s compliance with relevant legislation, including the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018, Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011, and Defence Trade Controls Act 2012.
The Committee’s primary functions include advising on foreign collaboration activities, endorsing policies to manage foreign interference risks, and providing advice to the Accountable Authority (the DVCR) to assist overseeing systems and processes for research partnerships with international entities. It also engages with internal and external stakeholders to ensure UNE aligns with best practices in countering foreign interference. Additionally, the Committee assists the VC&CEO in compiling information on potential foreign interference for submission to the Department of Home Affairs and maintains a register of foreign influence in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The Terms of Reference for the Committee are available on the Policies register. To bring an item to the attention of the Foreign Interference and Collaboration Committee, email foreignrelations@une.edu.au.
Composition and Membership
| Composition | Membership |
|---|---|
| Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research (DVCR); Chair and Accountable Authority | Professor Christopher Armstrong |
| Director UNE International | Tanya Pelle (Acting) |
| Director Governance and University Secretary | Kus Pandey (Acting) |
| Director of Research | Dr Faraz Hasan |
| Chief Information Digital Officer | William Confalonieri |
| Chief Information Security Officer | Dan Dooner (Deputy) |
| Director Legal Services | Katrina Warden |
| Dean Graduate Research | Professor David Miron (Acting) |
Recognised Observers
| Composition | Membership |
|---|---|
| Head Records, Policy and Governance | |
| Executive Principal Student Experience | Professor Jennifer McDonell |
| Executive Principal Education Futures | Suzanne Crew |
| Director People and Culture | Anthea White |
| Head Strategic Procurement | Fiona Harrison |
| Executive Deans | Professor Nathan Wise (HASSE) Professor Kim Usher (Medicine and Health) Professor Sujana Adapa (SABL) |
Any other person may also be invited to attend a meeting of the FICC by the Chair, and recognised observers are able to have a nominee attend in their place.
FICC Meetings
The Foreign Interference and Collaboration Committee at UNE meets every two months to address matters related to foreign collaboration, interference, and influence. Additional meetings may be convened by the Chair to address urgent issues and resolutions may be passed via flying minutes as outlined in the Terms of Reference.
