Our Members
The UK Research Integrity Office (UKRIO) is an independent charity, offering support to the public, researchers and organisations to further good practice in academic, scientific and medical research. They promote integrity and high ethical standards in research, as well as robust and fair methods to address poor practice and misconduct. They pursue these aims through publications on research practice, in-depth support and services for research employers, education and training activities, and by providing expert guidance in response to requests for assistance from individuals and organisations.
Established in 2006, their aims are to:
– Promote the good governance, management and conduct of academic, scientific and medical research.
– Share good practice on how to address poor practice, misconduct and unethical behaviour.
– Give confidential, independent and expert advice on specific research projects, cases, problems and issues.
It is increasingly recognised that poor practice, fraud and other forms of misconduct can cause significant harm to research. They damage the quality of UK research and its international reputation. They represent a breach of trust with the public, which supports research through charities, other funding bodies and taxes. Misconduct and poor practice can cause considerable financial and reputational damage to research institutions, jeopardise public funds and, most importantly, put participants, patients and the public at risk or cause actual harm. 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.
UKRIO has amassed considerable – and unique – experience in helping organisations, researchers and the public with issues of research conduct across all subject areas, from the arts and humanities to health and biomedicine. They are the only dedicated research integrity body in the UK and no other organisation has comparable expertise in providing such support.
In 2013 UKRIO helped with more than 80 cases and use of their services continues to grow each year. Their published guidance has been used or adopted by many organisations, including over 50 universities, and endorsed by funding bodies and professional organisations. All requests for advice are kept confidential, and UKRIO helps members of the public and individual researchers as well as research organisations.