UKRIO responds to House of Commons research integrity inquiry
UKRIO has responded to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee inquiry into research integrity.
Our submission notes that:
- The UK’s approach to supporting and enhancing research integrity has received positive feedback but there is no room for complacency.
- Data on research integrity remains piecemeal and additional research is needed to more accurately assess research integrity and research culture. UKRIO will be developing a programme to conduct and/or fund further research in this area.
- Institutions and funders have moved towards greater openness and transparency on research integrity, and we would urge them to continue their work in this area.
- Concerns about the negative influence of certain aspects of ‘research culture’ need to be addressed by long-term and collective action by the research community, supported by funders and publishers.
- Expanded regulation of research integrity would not address the majority of current concerns and would instead add new burdens and bureaucracy. UKRIO therefore remains opposed to new or expanded statutory regulation, except in those areas where it is determined there are sensitive ethical issues or safety/ national security considerations.
- Similarly, we do not seek regulatory powers ourselves, as this would conflict with both our remit and the way in which we have successfully provided support to the research community and the public.
Our submission is available here:
UKRIO’s views on the statutory regulation of research integrity issues, including why our charity does not seek regulatory powers, are described in further detail in our Position Statement on the Statutory Regulation of Research Integrity.