UKRIO is a company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales. It consists of four elements: the Board of Directors; the Advisory Board; the Register of Advisers; and the Office. UKRIO is a not-for-profit organisation and, to better reflect its nature, is currently seeking charitable status.
The Board of Directors directs and oversees the strategy and programme of work of UKRIO. It also has responsibility for matters of company administration and the management of the Office staff.
The Advisory Board consists of the directors of UKRIO and other Members selected for their expertise in research integrity and related issues. Its function is to oversee the strategy and programme of work of UKRIO. Formal decisions are taken by the Board of Directors, since the Advisory Board has no authority over the limited company, but are made after advice from the Advisory Board and reported to them.
Chaired by Professor Sir Ian Kennedy, the Advisory Board includes Members from the research community as well as independent and lay members. Collectively the Advisory Board possesses significant expertise in the promotion of research integrity and in addressing poor practice and misconduct.
The Register of Advisers provides an expert resource which UKRIO draws upon when responding to enquiries on issues of research conduct. The Advisers perform a case advisory role but, recognising their broad experience in research matters, also give feedback on the wider work of UKRIO on request and are given the opportunity to contribute to other elements of the programme of work.
The Office consists of the staff who provide administrative, policy, research and technical support to the Board of Directors and who carry out the programme of work of the project under the direction of the Board.
The Directors, Members of the Advisory Board and Members of the Register of Advisers are not employees of UKRIO and give their time to the organisation pro bono. Appropriate insurances have been procured to cover Directors, Members of the Advisory Board and Members of the Register of Advisers acting on behalf of UKRIO.