Concordat to Support Research Integrity

QMU is committed to maintaining the highest standards of research integrity and therefore complies with the Universities UK Concordat to Support Research Integrity. This concordat seeks to provide a comprehensive national framework for good research conduct and its governance.

The Concordat sets out five commitments, laying out expectations upon researchers and the institution. The Concordat will also provide assurances to 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.

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.

Research Council UK published guidance in 2013 (updated 2017) relating to good research practice. In 2019 Universities UK has revised and updated the Concordat to Support Research Integrity, which was originally published in 2012. This is a reference tool that provides principles and standards for researchers and research organisations.

As supporters of the concordat to support research integrity, QMU is 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

Named Institutional Contacts

Named point of contact who 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

Annual High Level Statement on Compliance to University Court

Annual Statement on Compliance with the Concordat for Research Integrity 2022 (to follow)

Annual High Level Statement on Compliance with the Concordat for Research Integrity 2021

Annual High Level Statements on Compliance with the Concordat for Research Integrity 2020

Annual High Level Statement on Compliance with the Concordat for Research Integrity 2017

Research Ethics Policy

In addition to managing research integrity issues QMU also has formal management structures, processes and procedures relating to other ethical issues in the research domain. These are set out in our Research ethics: regulations, procedures and guidelines (revised October 2010) which relate to such matters as Human Participants, Human Tissue, Children and Vulnerable Adults, etc.

Membership of the 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 with the aim of sharing excellence, good practice and expertise in the field of research integrity across all research active institutions in Scotland. The SRIN’s remit aligns with commitments and priorities of the UK Research Integrity Office (UKRIO), which helps institutions to achieve high standards in research integrity by “offering support to the public, researchers and organisations to further good practice in academic, scientific and medical research”.