Research integrity
and governance

The University of Hull is internationally recognised for quality research. We are a member of UKRIO, and we are committed to generating robust and quality research supported by clear policies and guidance. The principles that the University upholds are defined in the Statement of Research Integrity, with the practical means to achieve this described in the Code of Good Research Practice and the Research Ethics Policy.

The University endorses the principles of the Concordat for Supporting Research Integrity. We thread the four core elements - honesty; rigour; transparency and communication; and care and respect - into every aspect of our research.

The University has a robust ethical review system delegated down from the University Ethics Committee to Faculty Ethics Committees. The Faculty Committees are supported by our institutional-level College of Reviewers, ensuring that each application is subject to appropriate scrutiny by the relevant members of staff. To support the continuation of high-quality and robust research, ethics and integrity training is available to staff and students.

For any enquiries regarding research integrity at the University, contact pvc-re@hull.ac.uk.

To report any concerns about research practices at the University, please contact university-secretary@hull.ac.uk. For further information about our whistleblowing policy, see here.

The University provides clear guidance on expected research practices through its governance framework documents.

Research governance documents

Code of Good Research Practice

Code of Practice Research Misconduct - Version 2.9 | Version 3.0

Complaints Policy for Research and Research-Related Projects

Pricing Policy for Externally Funded Research and Research-Related Projects

Procedure for Granting Ethical Approval

Research Data Management and Sharing Policy

Research Ethics Policy

Research Sponsorship Policy

Statement of Research Integrity

Statement on the Use of Metrics in the Assessment of Research

Other relevant documents

Anti-Fraud and Bribery Policy

Data Protection

Financial Regulations and Procedures

ICT Regulations and Guidance Notes

Intellectual Property Policy

Open Access Policy

Policy and Procedure on Disclosures in the Public Interest (Whistle-Blowing)

Student Surveys Policy

For futher information please contact researchgovernance@hull.ac.uk.

The University of Hull is committed to enhancing its spin-out processes and aligning with best practices. We welcomed the publication of the Independent Review of University Spin-out Companies in November 2023 as an opportunity to refine our policies in this area. In 2024, we updated our IP and equity sharing policy to reflect many of the review’s recommendations. These changes, aligned with TenU’s USIT Guide, underscore our commitment to fostering innovation-friendly policies.

As our spin-out portfolio continues to grow, we will ensure that our processes remain aligned with the best practices outlined in the Review and the USIT Guide. We tailor equity stakes to suit each venture and clearly communicate spin-out opportunities to researchers across disciplines. By supporting spin-outs as a key pathway for applying University IP, we aim to raise awareness among researchers of the potential for their work to create societal and economic impact, while ensuring our internal structures are transparent and accessible.

The University of Hull’s approach to Intellectual Property (IP) prioritises long-term societal benefits over short-term financial gains. We actively identify, protect, and support the development of commercially valuable IP where there is potential for significant positive impact. Our internal structures are designed to facilitate efficient commercialisation, ensuring that our policies reflect the best practices recommended by the Independent Review. In doing so, we reaffirm our commitment to delivering meaningful innovation and fostering the growth of a vibrant spin-out ecosystem.

The University of Hull recognises that global challenges are not resolved in isolation and is committed to facilitating responsible international research collaborations. Whilst the research undertaken by the University is conducted for the benefit of individuals and society at large, in order to safeguard our research and outputs from being misused, we must comply with UK Government legislation and regulations governing the movement of controlled goods, software, and technology to other countries through licenses and restrictions. These measures are referred to as Export Controls.

More information on export controls

The Nagoya Protocol enables the equitable sharing of genetic material, including associated traditional knowledge, and the benefits that arise from their use, whilst maintaining the origin countries' rights over the resources that exist within its borders.

More information on the Nayoga Protocol

The concordat aims to create stronger ties with the public across all disciplines in the higher education sector. It sets out clear expectations for research organisations and, research managers, and supports researchers themselves to strengthen existing good practice in public engagement by ensuring that it’s valued, recognised and supported.

This will enhance the future of research to benefit the UK society and economy.

We commit to

• ensuring the University has a strategic commitment to public engagement
• ensuring that researchers are recognised and valued for their involvement with public engagement activities
• ensuring that researchers are enabled to participate in public engagement activities through appropriate training, support and opportunities
• undertaking regular reviews of researchers' and the wider research sector’s progress in fostering public engagement across the UK

What is public engagement?

The National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement defines public engagement as

“The myriad of ways in which the activity and benefits of higher education and research can be shared with the public. Engagement is by definition a two-way process, involving interaction and listening, with the goal of generating mutual benefit.”

The concordat describes the diversity of these activities to include

• participating in festivals
• working with museums/galleries/science centres and other cultural venues
• creating opportunities for the public to inform the research questions being tackled
• researchers and public working together to inform policy
• presenting to the public (e.g. public lectures or talks)
• involving the public as researchers (e.g. web-based experiments)
• engaging with young people to inspire them about research (e.g. workshops in schools)
• contributing to new media enabled discussion forums

Further information

Read the Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research

RCUK (Research Councils UK)

For any enquiries or further information, please contact our research governance experts.

The concordat sets out what is expected of researchers, their employers and the funders involved in research to ensure good practice and research of the highest standards. It was devised by the UK Government in collaboration with Universities UK and Wellcome Trust, with other key stakeholders.

We commit to

• maintaining the highest standards of rigour and integrity in all aspects of research
• ensuring that research is conducted according to appropriate ethical, legal and professional frameworks, obligations and standards
• supporting 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
• using transparent, robust and fair processes to deal with allegations of research misconduct should they arise
• working together to strengthen the integrity of research and to reviewing progress regularly and openly

Signatories

• Department for Employment and Learning
• Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)
• Higher Education Funding Council for Wales
• National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
• Research Councils UK (RCUK)
• Scottish Funding Council
• Universities UK (UUK)
• Wellcome Trust

Supporters

• Academy of Medical Sciences
• Association of Research Managers and Administrators
• British Medical Journal
• Council of University Classical Departments
• CREST: Consortium for Research Excellence, Support and Training
• Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
• Government Office for Science Medical Schools Council
• Royal Musical Association
• UK Research Integrity Office (UKRIO)

Further information

Read the concordat to Support Research Integrity

Research action plan 2016-18

UKRIO (UK Research Integrity Office) concordat support

Annual Statement of Research Integrity

• 2024
• 2023
• 2022
• 2021
• 2020
• 2019
• 2018
• 2017
• 2016
• 2015

For any enquiries or further information, please contact our research governance experts.

The concordat provides a clear set of principles for the future support and management of research careers and how to embed them into practice.

We’re delighted to announce that the University of Hull has signed the revised Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers - commonly known as the Researcher Development Concordat - joining 30 other organisations and institutions across the UK.  Chair of the University’s Concordat Steering Group, Professor Iain Brennan, comments: “By signing the Researcher Development Concordat, we are committing to producing an action plan which includes strategic objectives, measures of success, and an implementation plan against which progress can be measured.  We will also be making an annual report to our Governing Body.  As a signatory, we will play a vital role in engaging with systemic challenges, including ways to provide more security of employment for researchers and flexible criteria for maternity and paternity benefits.” The Concordat, as first published in 2008, provides a framework to support the career development of researchers in UK universities and research institutes. In 2017, the Concordat Strategy Group announced an independent ten-year review to evaluate the progress made in implementing the principles and provide recommendations on the future role, content and governance of the Concordat. As a result, a new Researcher Development Concordat was published in September 2019.

HR Excellence in Research

The University of Hull has been recognised with a HR Excellence in Research badge for our commitment to supporting and developing our researchers.

Further information

Read the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers: 2008 | 2019

Action plans

Annual Report for the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers 2025

Annual Report for the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers 2024

Annual Report for the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers 2023

2024 - 27: action plan

2022 - 24: action plan | report | updated action plan 2022 - 24

2020 - 22: action plan | report | updated action plan 2020 - 22

2018-  20:  action plan | case study | review | summary of progress

2016 - 18:  action plan |  report |  review

2014 - 15:  action plan |  updated action plan |  commentary

2012:  action plan |  commentary

For any enquiries or further information, please contact our research governance experts.

There are many reasons why animals are used is research. They help further our understanding of biology, provide models to study disease which leads on to the development of potential cures and treatments, and also help us in the protection of humans, animals and the natural environment. As scientific advancements continue we are more frequently able to use alternatives to animals for parts of our research using methods such as cell or tissue culture and computer modelling, however no alternative method has yet been developed which allows animals to be fully substituted for the complex biological characteristics of man and animals. For example to study high blood pressure hearts and blood vessels are required, and while some aspects of arthritis can be studies using alternative methods a full understanding requires bones and joints. The University of Hull uses many different strategies, models, methods, and technologies for biomedical research however in some cases, when all attempts to find alternative methods have been exhausted animal models are sometimes used to support and expand our knowledge in crucial areas of research.

If and when animals are to be used in research the University of Hull is committed to developing and proactively maintaining a thorough and objective process of ethical review that requires researchers to justify any animal use and maximise animal welfare. 

Download the statement on research involving animals.