Research integrity - University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham is committed to research excellence and to the rigorous pursuit of new knowledge. Supportive research ethics and governance processes are the foundation for a positive culture of research integrity. We expect all students, members of staff, and other researchers using University facilities or researching under the auspices of the University to work to these standards.

How we ensure integrity

Every member of the University is expected to act with integrity in their work, and this is enshrined in the University’s Code of Ethics (PDF - 528KB). Alongside this, the Code of Practice for Research (PDF - 128KB) provides a framework for the governance of all research throughout the University.

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Knowledge Transfer) is the named person within the University responsible for research integrity. The administrative lead for research integrity matters is Dr Birgit Whitman, Head of Research Governance & Integrity (telephone +44 (0)7814 650 003), and queries should be directed to Birgit in the first instance.

You can also read the University’s statement on research integrity for 2023-2024 (PDF - 221KB).

Previous research integrity statements

Ethics and integrity training

Find out more (accessible to University of Birmingham staff only)

Environment and Culture

Find out more about research culture at the University of Birmingham

Our case studies

Improving understanding of open research

John Dowd, Assistant Director – Collections, Discovery & Research Communications, led a project that has improved the University of Birmingham’s understanding of open research practices and their impact over time.

Now John and colleagues Mike Dainton and Judith Hegenbarth are sharing these findings with staff across the University through training, advocacy and governance mechanisms to ensure researchers and research enablers understand, comply with and promote open research practices. ‘Open Research’ and ‘Raising Your Research Profile’ workshops now incorporate evidence from the project, and further meetings with researchers who took part in the structured interviews are helping to develop strategy for future repository infrastructure.

Improving equity and inclusion in research involvement

Dr. Ameeta Retzer (researcher working within the Department of Applied Health Sciences) led a QR-funded project to understand and improve how the University of Birmingham engages with the public through an equity, diversity and inclusion lens. Insights gathered have informed the creation of a code of conduct guide and case studies to help inform public involvement and engagement in research.

The research team conducted a systematic review, focus groups and interviews with members of the public involved in shaping University of Birmingham research, to explore engagement practices and areas for improvement, particularly for those often underrepresented in research. The community members, engaged were based in Birmingham city centre, the Black Country and Moseley, and included 20 individuals, 6 community organisation leads and 25 University of Birmingham researchers.

Resources developed are available internally and to external partners, and have been adopted by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands and elsewhere within NIHR research delivery. A peer-reviewed academic paper is also in development.

The project has produced comprehensive and accessible guidance to increased awareness of and confidence in inclusive research practices for researchers at the University of Birmingham and beyond, positively affirming relationships with community-based partners and re-affirming inclusive and equitable approaches to research.

Research Ethics, Governance and Integrity