Concordat to strengthen UK research integrity

10 July 2012

A joint commitment has been made to promote the highest standards in research.

The Concordat has been signed by HEFCE, Universities UK, Research Councils, the Wellcome Trust and government departments. It aims to provide a national framework for good research conduct.

Signatories to and supporters of the Concordat to support research integrity are committed to:

maintaining 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, robust and fair processes to deal with allegations of research misconduct should they arise
working together to strengthen the integrity of research and to reviewing progress regularly and openly.

David Sweeney, HEFCE Director for Research, Innovation and Skills, said:

‘As a funder of research, HEFCE welcomes the launch of the Research Integrity Concordat.

‘The research community is already doing much to ensure that UK research and scholarship maintain the highest standards of rigour and integrity. The Concordat will build on the existing safeguards and standards by providing a comprehensive national framework for good research conduct and its governance.’

HEFCE will consult later this year on how the concordat will be implemented in higher education institutions in England.