Research & Knowledge Exchange Integrity & Ethics

Research and innovation are core to Falmouth's academic culture and the University is committed to advancing and safeguarding the highest standards of governance in all its research and innovation activities.

Falmouth University is committed to maintaining, and continually improving, the integrity of the research and innovation activities that take place under its auspices. It is therefore essential that all research should be conducted honestly, accurately and in accordance with the highest professional standards. These standards are vital for ensuring high-quality research, as well as maintaining trust and confidence in individual researchers, the University, and the research community as a whole.

Academic students

Falmouth students undertaking taught programmes are bound by the Research Integrity and Ethics Policy for taught courses. The policy aligns with the policy for staff but approval processes are currently managed at Departmental level.

Postgraduate research students

Postgraduate research students studying at Falmouth University must follow the Falmouth University Research Integrity & Ethics policy with due regard to the guidance published within the associated Handbook.

Falmouth acknowledges the existence of many codes of practice and certain laws that are used by professional bodies or which have been developed by organisations with a specific interest in research. The ethical and research integrity provisions made at the University are intended to assure such codes and legislation are observed and complemented. The University keeps a watching brief on developments in the area and specifically supports the following:​

• The Concordat to Support Research Integrity​
• Code of Practice for Research: Promoting good practice and preventing misconduct​
• Policy and Code of Conduct on the Governance of Good Research Conduct

Research and innovation are core to Falmouth's academic culture and the University is committed to advancing and safeguarding the highest standards of governance in all its research and innovation activities.

The principles outlined in the University's Research Integrity and Ethics Policy reflect the University's firm commitment to the five core principles of the Concordat to Support Research Integrity. By adopting the values of the concordat, the University commits to:

• Underpin all of its work with common values of rigour and integrity
• Conform to all ethical, legal and professional obligations incumbent on its work
• Nurture a research environment that supports research of the highest standards of rigour and integrity
• Use transparent, robust and fair processes to handle allegations of misconduct
• Continue to monitor, and where necessary improve, the suitability and appropriateness of the mechanisms in place to provide assurances over the integrity of research.

Upholding these values necessitates that the common principles of integrity, honesty, rigour, openness and transparency lie at the heart of everything we do. This will be reflected in every stage of research and innovation activity, from research design and the preparation of funding proposals, to dissemination of outcomes. In all cases, staff and students must adhere to structures and processes outlined in this document, which safeguard the rights and dignity of everybody involved in research and innovation projects, minimise negative impact on the environment and observe obligations towards funders, partners, the law and society at large.

The University has robust mechanisms in place for dealing with allegations of academic misconduct, and clearly defined ethical approval process for staff and students. All academic staff are required to complete the on-line ethics review before commencing a research project.

The University's key policies, procedures and guidelines relevant to this area are:​

Case studies, guidance and procedures are available to staff on the Research & Knowledge Exchange pages on the University intranet

The annual statement on compliance with the Concordat to Support Research Integrity is presented annually to the Board of Governors and the latest statement is available here:

The Pro Vice-Chancellor: Research & Knowledge Exchange is responsible for ensuring that the University promotes a commitment to research integrity, and is the first point of contact for all allegations of misconduct, and for whistle-blowers or for any other person wishing to raise concerns about the integrity of research being conducted under the auspices of Falmouth University. 

If you have any concerns regarding the integrity of research being undertaken at Falmouth University, the Pro Vice-Chancellor: Research & Knowledge Exchange can be contacted via the Research & Knowledge Exchange Office: research@falmouth.ac.uk 

The University's Whistleblowing Policy outlines the policy and procedural framework of Falmouth University in respect of the reporting of concerns of wrongdoing in the public interest, and the investigation and management of such concerns. 

A copy of the policy can be found on the University's intranet page.  

Anyone wishing to disclose information relating to concerns about research related activities can contact the Pro Vice-Chancellor: Research & Knowledge Exchange via the Research & Knowledge Exchange Office: research@falmouth.ac.uk