Research Governance

There is no widely accepted definition of Research Governance, but broadly it is a process which sets standards in research, defines mechanisms to deliver standards and describes monitoring and assessment arrangements. The University is concerned to ensure appropriate research governance for all research in the University through its own regulations, standards, and procedures and through benchmarking and dissemination of good practice. Where relevant the University may, from time to time, commit to external governance standards and requirements.

These pages attempt to summarise the main University processes and standards for research governance. Additional processes and standards may apply at a faculty or discipline level.

If you are involved in research at UWE, the University expects you to familiarise yourself with and follow its policies and procedures relating to research governance and to be equipped to carry out your research according to good practice relevant to your discipline.

What is it For?

Research Governance aims to improve research quality and safeguard the public by:

• Enhancing ethical and scientific quality
• Promoting good practice
• Reducing adverse incidents and ensuring lessons are learned
• Preventing poor performance and misconduct.

Who is it For?

Research Governance applies to all those who:

• Participate in research
• Host research in their organisations
• Fund research proposals or infrastructure
• Manage research
• Undertake research

It is for managers and staff, in all professional groups, no matter how senior or junior.

What Does it Cover?

Research Governance covers a wide range of activities and processes that can impinge on the quality and probity of research. The Department of Health Framework (for example) covers five domains:

• ethics - including the dignity, rights, safety and well-being of participants, issues of informed consent, the use of human tissues and organs, use of personal data etc.
• science - including assessing research quality, appropriate use of research methods, avoiding duplication etc.
• information - including recording of project information, access to results, publication and dissemination, data protection, intellectual property protection etc.
• health, safety and employment - including adherence to health safety and employment law
• finance and insurance - including financial probity, compensation arrangements, insurance and liability/negligence

What is UWE Doing?

UWE is committed to promoting high standards in the conduct of research. Research is an important activity for staff and students at UWE and there are a number of ways in which the University promotes good practice.

In addition, those that fund research or provide access or other resources for researchers, are increasingly seeking assurances from researchers and their institutions that their research is of the appropriate quality. At UWE we aim to provide such assurances and this guidance is to assist you to carry out your research in a way that meets these demands. The University has agreed a Code of Good Conduct in Research which is linked to other policies, regulations and guidelines in the University, and which outlines the duties of research project managers and clarifies the responsibilities of the University's Senior Management Team, Executive Deans and Associate Deans (Research) with regard to the conduct of research.

All researchers have professional and legal responsibilities. In addition many professional bodies produce guidance on good practice in research. If professional standards are at variance with guidance contained in this document please consult your Executive Dean in the first instance.

Where UWE has committed to external standards for the governance of particular types or categories of research these will be listed below together with a date when the external standards became effective.