Annual Report on Research Integrity 2025-26

Background

The University of Derby, as a member of Universities UK, has agreed to adhere to the commitments of the Universities UK Concordat to Support Research Integrity.

Summary of actions and activities

Summary of actions and activities undertaken to support and strengthen understanding and application of research integrity:

Responsible research metrics

Development of a Responsible Research Metrics Module for staff, together with accompanying guidance on the use of research metrics in internal promotion and conferment applications and by panels.

Research intelligence

Delivery of training, workshops and individual support on responsible metrics, bibliometrics and tools such as SciVal, alongside maintaining current responsible metrics guidance and resources. Provision of bespoke reports and analysis supporting research impact, institutional strategy, KEF and REF2029, particularly the Strategy, People and Research Environment (SPRE) element.

Open Research

Delivery of Open Research Week to promote awareness and understanding of open research practices across the University.

Due diligence

Development of the University's Due Diligence Research Policy and associated processes to support good research decision-making, including evaluation of proposed research projects and consideration of potential funder benefits and risks.

Research sponsorship

Implementation of the University's new Research Sponsorship process to support the integrity and appropriate governance of research collaborations, particularly international collaborations. The process incorporates the principles of the Trusted Research framework and supports informed decision-making in relation to sensitive research, intellectual property and research collaborations.

Responsible research assessment

Implementation of the University's Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) Action Plan, supporting the adoption of responsible research assessment practices.

Research governance

Revision of the Terms of Reference for research committees to strengthen clarity around roles, responsibilities and governance arrangements.

Research Governance and Integrity Framework

Development of a new Research Governance and Integrity Framework to replace the existing Research Ethics Policy and provide a more comprehensive, integrated and effective approach to research governance, ethics and integrity across the University, with implementation planned for 2026/27.

Research Misconduct (2025-26)

The University has a Research Misconduct Policy and Procedures that provides a transparent, timely, robust and fair approach to dealing with allegations of research misconduct. The procedures apply to current staff and students at the University of Derby, and consultants contracted by the University, and are applied in response to complaints received in writing from internal or external persons or organisations.

The procedures do not apply to individuals employed by other organisations; for example, individuals engaged by other organisations who are involved in collaborative research with staff at the University of Derby. Such matters would be considered in accordance with the relevant arrangements of the employing organisation and any applicable collaborative agreements.

There were no formal investigations of research misconduct during the academic year 2025-26.

As there were no formal investigations during the reporting period, there are no investigation-specific findings or lessons to report. The University will continue to review its research misconduct procedures and related research governance arrangements to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and to reduce the risk of research misconduct occurring.

Research environment and reporting concerns

The University is committed to creating and maintaining a research environment in which staff, researchers and students are able to raise concerns about potential research misconduct without fear of disadvantage or reprisal.

Research integrity responsibilities are supported through the University's research governance and ethics arrangements, relevant policies and procedures, and the work of UREC and local research ethics committees. The University's research integrity arrangements will continue to be developed through the planned Research Governance and Integrity Framework, including clearer articulation of responsibilities, routes for raising concerns and proportionate approaches to oversight and assurance.