Widespread support for the work of UKRIO at ‘Research misconduct in the UK: time to act’

On 12th January, UKRIO participated in a meeting of leading members of the country’s scientific establishment, organised by the British Medical Journal and the Committee on Publication Ethics. Speakers described how the UK and other countries have approached challenges to research integrity, the issues and problems associated with current systems in the UK and abroad, and what might be done to strengthen good research practice in the UK.

Fiona Godlee, editor in chief of BMJ, said that the meeting had been a success, by getting collective agreement from key players on what needs to be done to address research misconduct in the UK. She welcomed the meeting’s strong support for UKRIO and called for us to receive sustained, long-term funding from the research community.

British Medical Journal: Institutions must do more to eliminate research misconduct, meeting hears

We welcome the support shown for the work of UKRIO at the meeting and the consensus that more needs to be done to promote good research conduct and address questionable practices and misconduct. We understand that a consensus statement, agreed in the final session, will be circulated shortly.

The UK has a world-class reputation for conducting exceptional and innovative research and for producing researchers of the highest calibre. It is vital to promote integrity in our research to retain the public’s trust, enhance the quality and reputation of UK research, secure the best return on public funds and, most importantly, ensure the safety and wellbeing of research participants and patients.

During the meeting, the BMJ presented the results of a survey on research misconduct. Further information can be found here.