Research integrity

The University of Birmingham is committed to research excellence and to the rigorous pursuit of new knowledge. As such it dedicates itself to maintaining the highest standards of scholarly and scientific intergrity in its research. It expects 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 2022-2023 (PDF - 162KB).

Specific pages related to research integrity include the following:

  • Research Ethics - information about the University’s ethics review process and relevant resources (e.g. application forms and links to sources of further information and guidance issued by professional bodies, learned societies and funders).
  • Research Governance, Clinical Trials and Insurance - information about the University’s role as Sponsor (in line with the Department of Health’s Research Governance Framework for Health and Social Care research). 
  • Legal Services (including Data Protection) - information about the activities of the University’s Legal Services team, which provides in-house legal advice to the University.
  • Online Research Intergrity training is available to all staff and students.  Please see the Research Integrity, Ethics and Governance training intranet page for more information and for links to register for the training modules.