The School is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability in research. This Research Ethics and Governance Code of Practice ensures that all research, including final projects, adheres to ethical principles safeguarding participants' dignity and rights. It mandates ethical clearance, informed consent, confidentiality, and responsible data use. We support researchers with training and resources to maintain a culture of ethical scholarship and governance excellence.
This Policy has been developed in line with the applicable laws, regulations, regulatory advice, and sector best practices, including the following:
The School ensures integrity and ethical standards in all research by staff and students, adhering to the principles of the Concordat to Support Research Integrity. Our policies include a strong data protection policy, academic integrity regulations, and an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy. Students receive workshops on integrity, communication, ethics, and project governance during their final project modules. They can seek support from the final project module leader, their supervisors, or the Director of Education. Staff must also address ethical considerations in their research and may need to submit an assessment before commencing research. Training on supervision and research governance is provided, and misconduct, including plagiarism, is managed through a designated policy. A whistleblowing policy and a comprehensive complaints process are also in place, all monitored and evaluated under established regulations.
This rule highlights the School's commitment to maintaining high standards of research integrity and ethics. By integrating integrity and governance into research activities and providing comprehensive support and training, the School ensures that all research is conducted responsibly and in accordance with its policies. This approach fosters a culture of ethical research and accountability.
All research conducted at the School must undergo a comprehensive ethical impact assessment. Researchers must address the following areas in their assessment and submit it to the Academic Board for approval before starting their research. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring these questions are thoroughly reviewed with their supervisees:
Legal Harm: Assess whether the research may violate laws such as the Equality Act 2010, data protection laws, or copyright laws. Ensure adherence to School policies on data protection and confidentiality, and apply proper data governance.
Regulatory Harm: Determine if the research might breach codes or standards from professional bodies or School regulations. Ensure compliance with research and academic integrity standards.
Reputational Harm: Evaluate whether the research could harm the School’s, staff’s, or students’ reputation, considering potential conflicts of interest and impacts on recruitment or procurement. Ensure policies on freedoms, such as speech, are observed.
Other Harm: Identify any potential physical, mental, or environmental harm resulting from the research, including relevant safeguarding issues.
Ethical assessments are crucial for maintaining the School’s values of integrity and responsible research. By addressing legal, regulatory, reputational, and other potential harms, the School ensures that research complies with relevant laws and standards, protects stakeholders, and upholds its commitment to ethical and effective research practices.
If any of the four key questions on ethical impact are answered affirmatively, an assessment must be submitted via the Automated Governance System (AGS) before research can begin. The ethics form must include:
Student and supervisor assessments are sent to the final project module leader, who forwards them to the Academic Board. Staff assessments are sent directly to the Academic Board.
This rule ensures that all research is thoroughly evaluated for ethical implications and risks before commencing. By detailing the required information and submission process, the School maintains rigorous ethical standards and safeguards the integrity and impact of its research.
The Academic Board will hold a standing Ethics Committee meeting each semester, with additional meetings as required. Students and supervisors should aim to submit assessments by this time. Staff assessments will also be reviewed, although urgent requests may be considered ad hoc. The Committee will review submissions and request necessary changes to ensure ethical compliance within 5 working days of the meeting. If a project cannot be modified to avoid harm, it must be revised to meet compliance standards. All decisions and actions will be recorded and stored on the Automated Governance System (AGS).
This rule ensures that ethical assessments are reviewed regularly and promptly, maintaining rigorous standards for research compliance. By establishing a clear review process and timeline, the School promotes accountability and ensures that all research adheres to ethical guidelines. The use of AGS for recording decisions enhances transparency and record-keeping.
Ethical obligations continue throughout a project and all researchers must pause and submit an assessment at any point a likely harm is foreseen.
This rule ensures continuous monitoring of ethical considerations throughout the research project, maintaining high standards of safety and compliance. It allows for timely adjustments to mitigate risks and upholds the integrity of the research process.
The Academic Board will report on the application of the Ethics Policy to the Board of Governors annually. This report will include an analysis of the policy's effectiveness and any proposed changes for the Board's approval.
Regular reporting ensures transparency and accountability in the application of the Ethics Policy. It allows for timely updates and improvements to maintain the policy's relevance and effectiveness in upholding ethical standards.
Non-compliance with the ethics policy may result in misconduct or disciplinary action. For any questions or clarifications, contact the Director of Education.
This rule ensures adherence to ethical standards by clearly outlining the consequences of policy breaches. It directs individuals to the Director of Education for guidance, reinforcing the importance of maintaining ethical conduct.
The following metrics will be measured and regularly reviewed as performance indicators for the School to ensure the effectiveness of this policy and associated operations.