Concordat to Support Research Integrity
QMU is committed to maintaining the highest standards of research integrity and complies with the Universities UK , also known as the Research Integrity Concordat (RIC). This concordat seeks to provide a comprehensive national framework for good research conduct and governance.
As a signatory to the Concordat to Support Research Integrity, QMU and our research community are committed to:
- Upholding the highest standards of rigour and integrity in all aspects of research.
- Ensuring that research is conducted according to appropriate ethical, legal and professional frameworks, obligations and standards.
- Supporting a research environment that is underpinned by a culture of integrity and based on good governance, best practice, and support for the development of researchers.
- Using transparent, timely, robust and fair processes to deal with allegations of research misconduct should they arise.
- Working together to strengthen the integrity of research and to review progress regularly and openly.
This concordat seeks to provide a national framework for good research conduct and its governance. It offers鈥痑ssurances to the government, the wider public and the international community that research in the UK continues to be underpinned by the highest standards of rigour and integrity.鈥
All researchers at QMU should be familiar with the principles found within the Concordat and take advantage of opportunities provided by QMU to further enhance and embed these skills into day-to-day teaching and research activities.
Named Institutional Contacts
- Named point of contact鈥痺ho will act as a first point of contact for anyone wanting more information on matters of research integrity: Kim Stuart, Head of Research and KE Development Unit (RKEDU) kstuart@qmu.ac.uk
- Named point of contact or recognised an appropriate third party to act as confidential liaison for whistle-blowers or any other person wishing to raise concerns about the integrity of research being conducted under their auspices: Irene Hynd, University Secretary ihynd@qmu.ac.uk
UK Research Integrity Office (UKRIO)
QMU is a member of the , an independent advisory body. The UKRIO helps institutions achieve high standards when they have to manage challenges to research integrity and support individuals faced with bad practices. It offers to support good practice across all research disciplines and all regulatory remits. In this way, the role of UKRIO complements that of regulatory bodies for research and supports the work of the Government and research funders.
Scottish Research Integrity Network (SRIN)
QMU is a member of the Scottish Research Integrity Network (SRIN). The SRIN is a member-led forum of all Scottish HEIs, led by the Universities of Dundee and Edinburgh, founded in November 2019 to share excellence, good practice and expertise in research integrity across all research institutions in Scotland. The SRIN鈥檚 remit aligns with the commitments and priorities of , which helps institutions to achieve high standards in research integrity by 鈥渙ffering support to the public, researchers and organisations to further good practice in academic, scientific and medical research鈥.
