UKRIO calls for a strengthened Concordat to Support Research Integrity

UKRIO has submitted its response to the consultation on the 2024 revision of The Concordat to Support Research Integrity. Our response has been endorsed by the UK Reproducibility Network and we welcome its support for our position on this important issue.

The Concordat is an essential component of the UK’s research landscape. UKRIO fully endorses the principles communicated by the Concordat and has undertaken extensive work since publication of the first edition in 2012 to support the sector in embedding its principles in research systems, practices and culture.

That being said, in its current format, and with current and emerging threats to research integrity in mind, the Concordat has significant areas of weakness which must be addressed during this revision process, with mechanisms put in place to drive forward both greater adherence and adoption. Our strong recommendation is that any revisions made to the Concordat:

  • Ensure that the Concordat applies to the entire UK research base, all disciplines of research and all sectors, reaching beyond higher education (where it has traditionally had higher uptake) to become truly national guidance.
  • Drive both take-up and adherence across research organisations, including private, public, and third sector organisations.
  • Ensure that those who have signalled their commitment are adhering to the Concordat, and thus supporting organisations and their employees to embed a robust and proactive approach to research integrity.
  • In relation to addressing research misconduct, implement the conclusions of UKRIO’s 2024 examination of this crucial issue, Barriers to Addressing and Reporting Research Misconduct, including a move to processes that destigmatise and encourage early reporting of breaches of research integrity, and the adoption of a nationally-recognised investigation process, UKRIO’s Procedure.
  • Incentivise adherence to the Concordat by streamlining and harmonising its reporting requirements and the related reporting mandated by research funders. This will reduce burdens and bureaucracy, freeing up time and resources for other employer-led activities to support good research practice and a healthy research culture.

We recognise that its Signatories may well need support to operationalise any strengthened Concordat. UKRIO, along with UKRN, stands ready to take a more proactive role to do so, building on our considerable experience in supporting organisations to implement the Concordat in their research environments.