Research Integrity at the University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham is committed to research excellence and to the rigorous pursuit of new knowledge. As such it dedicates itself to maintaining the highest standards of scholarly and scientific integrity in its research. It expects all students, members of staff, and other researchers using University facilities or researching under the auspices of the University to work to these standards.

How we ensure integrity

The university has developed robust systems of ethics review for research involving human subjects, and all research is required to be logged on the University’s ethics review system.  Information about the University’s ethics review requirements can be found on the University’s ethics pages.

Every member of the University is expected to act with integrity in their work, and this is enshrined in the University’s Code of Ethics (PDF - 528KB).  Alongside this, the Code of Practice for Research (PDF - 128KB) provides a framework for the governance of all research throughout the University.

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Knowledge Transfer), is the named person within the University responsible for research integrity.  The administrative lead for research integrity matters is Dr Birgit Whitman, Head of Research Governance & Integrity (telephone 07814 650 003), and queries should be directed to Birgit in the first instance. 

Lastest research integrity statement: University's statement on research integrity for 2022-2023 (PDF - 162KB)

Previous statements are available as follows:  

 

 

Research Integrity links

Specific pages related to research integrity include the following:

  • Research Ethics - information about the University’s ethics review process and relevant resources (e.g. application forms and links to sources of further information and guidance issued by professional bodies, learned societies and funders).
  • Research Governance, Clinical Trials and Insurance - information about the University’s role as Sponsor (in line with the Department of Health’s Research Governance Framework for Health and Social Care research). 
  • University Arrangements for Compliance with the Human Tissue Act - includes information about licences and consent, and what you need to know if you wish to use human tissue in your research.
  • Legal Services - information about the activities of the University’s Legal Services team, which provides in-house legal advice to the University.

Research Governance, Ethics and Integrity Committee (RGEIC)

Any research governance, ethics or integrity issues that arise will be referred to RGEIC, please see the Committee's terms of reference for further information.  RGEIC reports to the University's Research Committee

 

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