Activity Statement 2021-22

Section 1: Key contact information

1A. Name of organisation

Ulster University

1B. Type of organisation

Higher Education Institution

1C. Date statement approved by governing body (DD/MM/YY)

20/11/2023

1D. Web address of organisation’s research integrity page (if applicable)

• View research integrity web page

1E. Named senior member of staff to oversee research integrity

Name:  Prof Liam Maguire

Email address: lp.maguire@ulster.ac.uk

1F. Named member of staff who will act as a first point of contact for anyone wanting more information on matters of research integrity

Name: Dr Julie McCarroll

Email address:  j.mccarroll@ulster.ac.uk

Section 2: Promoting high standards of research integrity and positive research culture. Description of actions and activities undertaken

2A. Description of current systems and culture

Policies, processes and systems

The University’s Code of Practice for Professional Integrity in the Conduct of Research was reviewed, updated and republished during the summer of 2021 in time for the beginning of the 2021/22 academic year and, in particular, the annual intake of new PhD researchers. This document reflects the Universities UK Concordat and addresses, in a style appropriate to Ulster, the required precepts and commitments and clearly references other policies, procedures and guidance in place to support researchers and to underpin the good conduct of research:

• Policy for the conduct of research involving human participants
• Policy for research involving the use of human tissue
• Guidance on un/acceptable sources of funding
• Research participant complaints procedure
• GDPR and the use of participants’ personal data
• Open research
• Open access
• Data management
• Intellectual Property
• Guidance on authorship and publication
• People & Culture policies on Equality, Whistleblowing, Bullying & Harassment

Oversight, policy setting & review

Oversight, policy setting and review are the ultimate responsibility of University Senate and Council, informed and advised by Research & Innovation Committee and sub-committees including Research Governance Steering Committee (RGSC) and groups or committees specifically dedicated to the management of individual regulatory areas (animal welfare, use of radiation, human tissue) and human research ethics.

Reports from these groups are considered through the committee structure, ensuring that issues or developments requiring a strategic response or input are considered at the appropriate level.

Communication/engagement

Communication is managed via the University’s outward-facing web pages and also via internal content and training, either face-to-face or online. This content is kept up to date through regular review and is subject to in-depth scrutiny and revision on a cyclical basis.  For example, references, web links and similar content are updated as required; overall content, presentation and other significant changes are timetabled by Research Governance in collaboration with Digital/Comms to ensure that resource is available to carry the changes through to a successful conclusion. Policies are reviewed in line with a University schedule and are subject to consultation across the institution, including with staff, students and the unions.

All research-involved staff and students are required to complete the University’s own research integrity course, which reflects the Code of Practice referred to above.  This has been in place for several years and has been very successful.  Completion by all PhD researchers is required within 100 days of first registration and prior to the first formal review of their progress; academic staff and contract researchers are required to complete within a reasonable timeframe. As details of new appointments are fed through to Research Governance, completions are checked and reminders issued.  Completion of the course helps researchers to become familiar with the framework of policies and guidance that support best practice and integrity.

Culture, Development & Leadership

In a survey of research culture carried out during the 20/21 academic year, responses indicated that 72% of staff were of the opinion that their school/unit of assessment supported a culture of research integrity, and between 74 and 82% were comfortable seeking support from colleagues, understood the requirements of good authorship and knew where to find information relating to research integrity.

These are illustrations of a positive attitude towards research integrity and the foundations that support it. The survey responses also indicated that further provision was required in a range of areas, and this is currently being addressed as part of the development of the University’s updated research and innovation strategy which will go live during 2023.

2B. Changes and developments during the period under review

Some incremental changes have been adopted during 2021/22 academic year, mainly around accessibility of resources and also to reflect ongoing changes in the NHS/HSC research landscape, but major revisions will be considered during 2023 when the University’s new research and innovation strategy is in place.

2C. Reflections on progress and plans for future developments

The University’s new research and innovation strategy will run from 2023 until 2027 and will:

1. be advised by the University’s overall strategy 2022-27;
2. be informed by the University’s excellent performance in REF 21;
3. recognize the strategic research investments within the University e.g city and growth deals and a more intense focus on relevant research areas including medicine and engineering;
4. be developed through a consultation to advance the research community and culture – based on the findings of the six strategic working groups established to review research culture.

Research integrity is a cross-cutting theme of several of these groups, particularly those focusing on early career research, inclusion & diversity, practice-based research, open research & innovation and research leadership, esteem & engagement.  As these threads are pulled together in the new research and innovation strategy, we will see that good research practice and integrity are recognised as core components.

Section 3: Addressing research misconduct

3A. Statement on processes that the organisation has in place for dealing with allegations of misconduct

The University has a specific process for addressing allegations of research misconduct.  This has been in place for more than a decade and is reviewed regularly to ensure that it is up to date.  The most recent review was in 2021.  The contact point for advice is the Head of Research Governance, and the contact point for those wishing to make a formal allegation is a senior officer of the University (Deputy Vice Chancellor) who sits outside the research management structure.

The appointment of a senior officer out with the research management structure is to ensure that those making allegations have an independent point of contact and someone with sufficient seniority to drive the process forward when necessary.

The University’s procedures in this and associated areas (whistleblowing, public interest etc) are intended to ensure that those who make allegations can do so in the knowledge that their reports will be taken seriously and handled fairly.  However, it is clearly a significant and uncomfortable undertaking for a researcher or academic (particularly one in a relatively junior position) to take such a step, and we must recognise that reality.  The University continues to take steps to update its strategies, policies, procedures and guidance to place emphasis on integrity and the responsibilities around best practice, and to focus on people and their place in the organisation rather than on the importance of the organisation itself, with a view to promoting improvements in the research culture.

3B. Information on investigations of research misconduct that have been undertaken