Research Ethics and Integrity

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Supporting High Quality Research

The University of Lincoln is committed to encouraging research of the highest quality by supporting good conduct and helping to prevent misconduct.

It aims to uphold the following commitments outlined in the UUK Concordat to support Research Integrity (the concordat), which provide a comprehensive national framework for good research conduct and its governance:

  • maintain the highest standards of rigour and integrity in all aspects of research
  • ensure that research is conducted according to appropriate ethical, legal, and professional frameworks, obligations, and standards
  • support a research environment that is underpinned by a culture of integrity and based on good governance, best practice, and support for the development of researchers
  • use transparent, robust, and fair processes to deal with allegations of research misconduct should they arise
  • work together to strengthen the integrity of research and to review progress regularly and openly.

Code of Practice

The University of Lincoln’s Code of Practice for Research provides a comprehensive framework for good research conduct and the governance of all research carried out across the University.

The Code of Practice for Research sets out the principles governing the conduct of research by individual researchers and the University; and lists the fundamental standards for good practice in research with which both researchers and the institution should comply. 

Research Ethics

The University of Lincoln’s Research Ethics Policy is intended to support good conduct in research, in order to encourage research of the highest quality. It provides general principles and standards for good ethical practice in research, for the individual researcher (staff member or student) and the institution as a whole.

The University of Lincoln seeks to:

  • foster a culture within the University that embraces the principles set down in this policy and relevant legislation to protect the rights, dignity and welfare of those involved in research (whether they are participants, third parties, animals (or other living organism) or staff and students);
  • provide ethical guidance that communicates regulatory requirements and best practice, and offer ongoing support and training to researchers to maintain high ethical standards; and
  • maintain a review process that subjects research to a level of scrutiny in proportion to the risk of harm or adverse effect.

The University Research Ethics Committee (UREC) has oversight of the principles and practices of ethical research conduct across the University, specifically the Human and Non-Human Research Ethics Committees. It works in unison with the Research Committee to ensure that the Human/Non-Human Research Ethics Committees are supported to implement, monitor, and report on the ethical research conduct in their respective disciplines.

Further information regarding research ethics, or the research ethics application process, may be found on the University's Research Ethics portal page or by emailing ethics@lincoln.ac.uk.

Human Tissue Research Licence

The Human Tissue Authority (HTA) was set up to regulate the removal, storage, use, and disposal of human bodies, organs, and tissue for a number of scheduled purposes. These include research, education, and training, and are set out in the Human Tissue Act 2004 (HT Act).

In order for the University to store human tissue or hold human tissue material for research purposes, including cadaveric material, or to hold material for anatomical examination or teaching purposes, the institution requires a licence. The University of Lincoln holds a Human Tissue Authority Licence (Research #12678).

The Corporate Licence holder is the University of Lincoln. The Designated Individual (DI) is Professor Jon Whitehead  

The Human Tissue Oversight Group (HTOG) ensures its compliance with the Act under the terms and conditions of its license.

Further information regarding the storage or use of Human Tissue may be found on the University's Human Tissue portal page or by emailing HTOG@lincoln.ac.uk.

Research Misconduct

The University of Lincoln expects all staff, students, and non-members conducting research on University premises to observe the highest standards of ethics and integrity. The Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation has overall responsibility for research integrity, and the University’s Procedure for the Investigation of Misconduct of Research (UKRIO) outlines the steps to follow in potential cases of research misconduct.

Anyone wishing to raise concerns about the integrity of research can do so in confidence by contacting:

In accordance with recommendations in the Concordat, you can view the university’s Annual Misconduct Statement 2017/18.

Further information can be found on the Research Misconduct portal page. Alternatively, you can contact Samantha Lewis on 01522 835490 or by emailing samlewis@lincoln.ac.uk.