The Role of the Australia Group in US Biosecurity Policy

Background

The Australia Group is an international cooperative of forty-two countries and the EU that aims to limit the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons. The Australia Group is particularly relevant as they have spearheaded efforts to limit the spread of CBW through the control of chemical precursors, CBW equipment, and BW agents and organisms. The United States has been a member of this group since its inception in 1984 and has significantly shaped as well as been shaped by the Australia Group.

Proposal

My research will aim to explore the influence and role of the Australia Group on US Biosecurity policy. In evaluating the biosecurity realm of the United States and the broader international community, it is predicted that the Australia Group’s influence is evident but still fragmented. Hence, this project aims to better understand the role of an NGO like the Australia Group, in US biosecurity policy decision-making throughout time, and to compare and contrast the evolution of export control agreements and legislative/regulatory action in the US. The broad methodology I aim to undertake will be to review historical records available online, consult governments of both the US and Australia to obtain non-public records, and hopefully, to perform interviews with relevant officials. 

Primary objectives: 

• Grasp to what extent the Australia Group influences US Biosecurity Policy, or to what extent US Biosecurity Policy shapes the Australia Group. 
• Drafting of outlines and manuscripts to describe findings.

Secondary objectives: 

• provide insights into how biosecurity policy might evolve moving forward
• compile broader and internationally important historical information for the biosecurity community

Key Questions: 

• To what extent does the Australia Group influence US Biosecurity Policy or vice versa? 
• How does the Australia Group or the US Biosecurity realm impact the broader biosecurity community and policy moving forward? 

Potential Research Methods

Considering my mentor’s previous research on this topic being more STEM-focused, I will try and research through a more historical and humanities-based approach. 

• Reviewing Historical Resources 
• I will thoroughly examine publicly available historical records, such as government documents, policy papers, and legislative records, to trace the development of US biosecurity policy and its relationship with the Australia Group's activities. 
• Interviewing AG officials 
• Subject to availability and approval, I will conduct interviews with relevant government officials, policymakers, and experts to gather firsthand accounts of the influence of the Australia Group on US biosecurity policy and its evolution over time.
• Drafting Manuscripts
• Based on my research, I will draft outlines and manuscripts to effectively communicate the insights gained and the role of the Australia Group in shaping US biosecurity policy, and hope to create a foundation of research that others can use to continue to deep dive into. 

By combining historical record review, government consultations, interviews, and comparative analysis, I aim for holistic, reliable research.  

Impact

The importance of this research will be that it will compile important historical information for the biosecurity community, and divulge critical information on the influence of international collaboration on domestic biosecurity policy decisions. 

Final Notes

Due to my more humanities-based background, any mentorship, tips, or skills to research STEM subjects like biosecurity would be greatly appreciated! 

I also welcome any other interested scholars or readers to offer feedback, or ask questions on this research!