Research integrity and governance

Our Research Integrity and Governance Code of Practice helps to ensure that our research is conducted safely, responsibly, and in accordance with expected standards.

The Code of Practice contains a set of expectations applicable to all staff and students involved in research at Cardiff University. It provides a framework for good research conduct and helps researchers to meet legal and ethical requirements, whilst preventing misconduct.

The Code of Practice is regularly reviewed to ensure it is fit for purpose. The current version of the Code of Practice was reviewed in 2022/2023 and approved in July 2023.

Responsibility and oversight of research integrity

Professor Roger Whitaker, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Enterprise is the named senior academic lead for research integrity at Cardiff University. Professor Whitaker is also Chair of the University's Open Research Integrity and Ethics Committee (ORIEC).

ORIEC acts as an oversight body to ensure that the university meets the requirements of the Concordat to Support Research Integrity. ORIEC is responsible for reviewing the Code of Practice and other relevant policies and frameworks and helps to ensure that the university continues to have appropriate systems in place to support and strengthen research integrity.

The University’s Research Integrity, Governance and Ethics team (sitting within Research and Innovation Services) provide dedicated support for the university’s research integrity activity and helps to implement matters resolved by ORIEC.

Chris Shaw, Head of Research Integrity, Governance and Ethics is the named first point of contact at Cardiff University for anyone wanting more information on matters of research integrity or wishing to raise concerns about research integrity.

The university also has dedicated procedures and named points of contact for anyone wishing to raise allegations of academic research misconduct or public interest (whistleblowing) concerns.

Whilst anyone with concerns about research integrity is encouraged to liaise directly with one of the above contacts if you would prefer to discuss your concerns with someone independent of the university you may wish to contact the UK Research Integrity Office which is able to provide confidential impartial advice on issues of research conduct.

Research Integrity Action Plan

Our institutional 2023-2025 Research Integrity Action Plan is the output of a detailed internal review and reflection exercise, utilising the UKRIO Self-Assessment Tool. The Action Plan is split across 6 key pillars and contains various actions aimed at further bolstering our approach to Research Integrity and to supporting our research community to achieve the highest standards of Research Integrity. This is part of our proactive journey to fostering a culture where good research practice is not only enabled but valued.

We are committed to undertaking a regular review of progress against the Action Plan and will report on progress within our institutional Annual Statements on Research Integrity.

Annual statement

The Concordat to Support Research Integrity requires research institutions to prepare and publish an annual statement on research integrity which contains the information specified in the Concordat.

Our 2022/2023 annual statement on Research Integrity confirms our commitment to promoting and strengthening research integrity across all research activities. Our 2021/2022 annual statement, 2020/2021 annual statement, 2019/2020 annual statement, 2018/2019 annual statement, 2017/2018 annual statement and 2016/2017 annual statement are also available to demonstrate the university's progression of its research integrity agenda.

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