Subscribing to UKRIO
UKRIO has amassed significant and unique expertise as the only dedicated research integrity organisation in the UK. We promote and support good research practice and assist with resolving concerns about poor practice and outright misconduct. We cover all disciplines and give advice on research wherever it is carried out, in universities, the NHS, private sector bodies and charities.
Organisations involved in research can choose to subscribe to UKRIO and receive additional, long-term support and services. We do not provide a ‘one-size-fits-all’ service to our subscribers but tailor our activities to their particular needs. As well as the practical benefits, we feel that subscribing to UKRIO allows institutions to signal their commitment to support integrity and high ethical standards in their research.
Our ethos and services
Our whole approach is advisory. We have no statutory powers and see ourselves as a bulwark against the introduction of some overly restrictive and bureaucratic system of regulation. Accordingly, what we provide is support that is appropriate, practical and proportionate, rather than burdensome and bureaucratic – that helps researchers rather than hinders them.
We promote common approaches to common situations but provide specialist, subject-specific expertise whenever necessary. Our support is in-depth and long-term, yet light-touch: we don’t micro-manage researchers.
As an advisory body, rather than a regulator, there is no obligation to come to us for help but this has not stopped researchers and universities from seeking our assistance, often on difficult issues. Our publications have been endorsed by funding bodies and learned societies, and are used by many leading research organisations
Rather than provide a single set of services for all subscribers, we undertake a wide variety of activities devised to meet each organisation’s particular needs, informed by UKRIO’s unmatched practical experience.
Examples of the services we are providing to our existing subscribers can be found here: services for UKRIO subscribers.
An essential resource for the research community
Reflecting confidence in our approach to issues of research integrity and the services that we provide to the research community, is shown by our subscription level of over 100 research organisations. These include most of the Russell Group universities as well as many institutions which are still developing their research portfolios. Subscribers range from organisations which have used our services in the past to those who are only just appreciating the benefits of accessing our expertise. Most recently, organisations from outside the UK have also discovered the benefits of a UKRIO subscription.
Recognition of the value of our work extends beyond higher education: the Royal Society and the British Academy subscribe to UKRIO, as well as Science Foundation Ireland, the UK National Physical Laboratory and a number of other independent research institutes. Both editions of The Concordat to Support Research Integrity were developed with the assistance of UKRIO and it recognises us as a key source of support for the community.
The 2016 Universities UK’s review of the Concordat praised the “excellent support and leadership from the UK Research Integrity Office” on research integrity. The essential work of our charity and the value of our work programme, such as our Self-Assessment Tool for the Concordat, was noted by many of the organisations who contributed to the review.
In July 2018, the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee published the report of its inquiry into research integrity in the UK. The Committee’s report stated:
“We recommend that the Government and Universities UK write jointly to all universities to encourage them to engage with UKRIO and consider subscribing to its services.”
The Government’s response recognised the work of UKRIO in supporting good research practice:
“The Government recognises the important role that UKRIO play in promoting engagement and making clear that public funds should be used with integrity wherever possible to ensure that research is reproducible and reliable… we will explore with Universities UK (UUK) and UKRIO how we can promote the work of UKRIO as an organisation that furthers good practice in academic, scientific and medical research.”
Further information
We welcome enquiries from any type of research organisation: universities, NHS organisations, independent research institutes, private sector research institutions, charities and learned societies. If you would like further information on the benefits of subscribing to UKRIO, please contact us.
A PDF version of this page is available here.
Associate membership for non-UK research organisations
UKRIO’s expertise is understandably rooted in the legal, ethical and other structures under which research is conducted in the UK. However, there is a great deal of crossover with how research is conducted in other countries, including common challenges and pitfalls. While our focus will always remain on the UK, we offer an associate membership for non-UK research organisations which wish to use our advisory and support services, and access our subscriber-only events and publications.
Information on associate membership can be found here.