Integrity & Governance

Annual Statement on Research Integrity 2018/19

The University of Chester is committed to fulfilling the principles of the Concordat to Support Research Integrity to create a framework for responsible research conduct and governance. In compliance with the Concordat, the University is publishing a statement on Research Integrity on an annual basis.

This Research Integrity statement covers the period from 1 August 2016 to 31 July 2019.

Responsibility for monitoring cases of research misconduct in relation to staff and PGR students lies with the Research and Knowledge Transfer Office (RKTO) who also publish the Research Governance Handbook. The RKTO receives allegations of misconduct which are then passed to the nominated individual for investigation, according to the UKRIO Misconduct Investigation Procedure.  Occasionally RKTO also receives enquiries – about procedural matters or policies – which do not always lead on to allegations and investigation.  Enquirers are reassured that the first stages of the procedure are informal resolution and screening, and thus where there are concerns, the appropriate step is to submit their concern according to the procedure.

The RKTO also maintains a record of all research applications considered by the University’s Research Ethics Committees – requests for information on approved projects can be made to: researchoffice@chester.ac.uk. Requests will be considered in accordance with all applicable regulatory provisions.

Cases arising from the conduct of students on taught programmes fall under the remit of the academic malpractice procedures (see Handbook F governing the assessment of students).

Named Person in accordance with the Concordat

Named Person in accordance with the Concordat is Professor Nick Avis, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research & Knowledge Transfer) n.avis@chester.ac.uk

Queries or concerns about research integrity and/or reports of research misconduct should be made through the Research & Knowledge Transfer Office to:

• Dr Elizabeth Christopher (Director of Research & Knowledge Transfer)  e.christopher@chester.ac.uk

• or Marie-Anne O’Neil (Deputy Head of RKTO) m.oneil@chester.ac.uk

Summary of investigations of research misconduct

The table below sets out the broad categories of queries, investigations and findings in relation to research misconduct procedures in the previous 3 academic years, covering both staff and postgraduate research (PGR) students.

Public Interest Disclosure Policy (“Whistleblowing”)

Members of the University or public wishing to ‘blow the whistle’ on suspected malpractice or impropriety should contact the Vice-Chancellor, though they may if they wish contact directly the Chair of the Audit & Risk Management Committee or the University’s internal auditors (RSM). Their contact details are: