On 12th January, UKRIO participated in a meeting of leading members of the country’s scientific establishment, organised by the British Medical Journal and the Committee on Publication Ethics. Speakers described how the UK and other countries have approached challenges to research integrity, the issues and problems associated with current systems in the UK and abroad, and what might be done to strengthen good research practice in the UK.
Fiona Godlee, editor in chief of BMJ, said, ‘the meeting succeeded in its aim of getting all the key players into one room and agreeing what needs to happen. It’s especially important to have got a vote of confidence in UKRIO, which now needs proper long term funding from institutions.’
British Medical Journal: Institutions must do more to eliminate research misconduct, meeting hears
We welcome the support shown for the work of UKRIO at the meeting and the consensus that more needs to be done to promote good research conduct and address questionable practices and misconduct. We understand that a consensus statement, agreed in the final session, will be circulated shortly.
The UK has a world-class reputation for conducting exceptional and innovative research and for producing researchers of the highest calibre. It is vital to promote integrity in our research to retain the public’s trust, enhance the quality and reputation of UK research, secure the best return on public funds and, most importantly, ensure the safety and wellbeing of research participants and patients.
During the meeting, the BMJ presented the results of a survey on research misconduct. Further information can be found here.