Research integrity underpins the value of our research and is paramount to the reputation of the researcher and the research institution. As such, ensuring an integrity-driven, open, transparent approach to doing research drives good research culture and is a key aspiration for all higher education Institutions. 

Research misconduct persistently arises in research and institutional management of these breaches are critical to limit institutional and societal erosion of trust in research. Our collective Research Misconduct Investigation (RMI) policies have gone from strength to strength in ensuring a fair, transparent, time-aware process for all. While institutional policies have kept apace, there has been limited development in key areas involving the “human-facing” elements of the RMI process. 

Given the broad and career changing implications of the RMI process, the RESTORE team want to build an empathetic researcher-centric approach in our institutional policies. These ideas are underpinned in the “The Concordat to Support Research Integrity” which state that institutions should take all reasonable steps to protect the parties involved from undue pressure, or unwarranted negative consequences” and “consider the impact on researchers and specialists involved in a research project affected by research misconduct”. 

The outcomes of integrity breaches can be severe, ranging from corrections to retractions to damaging narratives on external websites suggesting nefarious practices and character defamation. Cumulatively, this has a very significant impact on researchers and their institutions.

RESTORE aims to foster a culture of research integrity that prioritises support, and has researcher confidence and wellbeing at its core. 

By implementing researcher-led strategies for those reporting of RMI, and providing compassionate pastoral support for those involved in the RMI process, we will build a stronger, more ethical research community across our three institutions, which is essential in ensuring a healthy, honest and supported research culture. We also hope to contribute to sector-wide conversations in this area.

The RESTORE project commenced in September and has three main stages:

• Stage One: A review of current research misconduct policies and practices from institutions across the UK to identify best support provisions for those involved in RMI processes and pinpoint areas that need improvement.
• Stage Two: A survey distributed across the three partner institutions, followed by in-depth interviews, to gather comprehensive insights into community perspectives on the support received or not received in their experience of research misconduct investigation processes.
• Stage Three: The development of recommendations and guidelines aimed at early intervention and enhanced support for those involved in research misconduct investigation processes.