Trusted Research

University Actions

Since 2019 this agenda has become increasingly prominent, guidance documents have been released, and research funders are increasingly asking funding applicants for written assurances that relevant institutional provisions are in place.

The University is required to put in place, and enforce, relevant provisions to ensure that it attends to this agenda. Not doing so would lead to potentially significant reputational risk, including our ability to secure and retain research funding, alongside the risk of criminal liability and legislative or contractual non-compliance, or both. On the latter, export controls and Prevent are examples where criminal liability might arise, whereas updated UKRI terms and conditions are a contractual example.

University working group

The University’s approach to ensuring compliance with Trusted Research has so far been overseen by the Vice-Principal (Research, Collections and Innovation) and the Quaestor and Factor.

Work has been coordinated by a working group coordinated by Research and Innovation Services, so far comprising representatives relating to the following institutional provisions:

This working group has:

  • Mapped existing processes that address the Trusted Research agenda (as per the list above)
  • Developed a tool and held individual ‘case meetings’ with researchers undertaking activity close to or under the Trusted Research agenda
  • Liaised with RCAT, Universities Scotland and other Universities on an ongoing basis

This is an ongoing journey for all UK Universities, as documented in a relevant early 2023 report.