Research Councils UK (RCUK) today launched a new policy document setting out
clear guidance on best practice for researchers. The RCUK Policy and Code of Conduct
on the Governance of Good Research Conduct also provides guidelines which describe
how to manage research to ensure the highest standards, and on the reporting and
investigation of unacceptable research conduct.
The Code, developed after a wide consultation last year with partners across
the higher education and research sector, aims to provide clear guidelines to help
researchers and research organisations achieve the highest standards possible when
carrying out research. Covering a wide range of suggested best practice areas, from
the need for appropriate training and development at the early career stage to how
to handle the resignation of a researcher under investigation, the Code is designed
to fit in with research organisations' own internal procedures.
Professor Ian Diamond, Chair of RCUK, welcomed the publication of the Code, and
said: "I believe that the close interaction with universities and research organisations
in developing this document has been very important. Putting the policy and Code
of Conduct in place is an important step forward in the approach to these matters
in the UK."
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Notes
Contact:
Chloë Somers
RCUK Press Officer
Tel: 01793 444592
The RCUK Policy and Code of Conduct on the Governance of Good Research Conduct
is available to download
here
Research Councils UK is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research
Councils; they invest annually around £3 billion in research, covering the full
spectrum of academic disciplines from the medical and biological sciences to astronomy,
physics, chemistry and engineering, social sciences, economics, and the arts and
humanities.
The seven UK Research Councils are:
- Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
- Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
- Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
- Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
- Medical Research Council (MRC);
- Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
- Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC).