Integrity in Research

The University aims to encourage and ensure integrity in research and scholarship as both an intrinsic value and to meet its obligation to research funding bodies, governments and the public as set out in the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2007).  

In order to provide researchers (both staff and students) with support and resources to achieve this outcome, the University has appointed Research Ethics and Integrity Advisors. Research Ethics and Integrity Advisors are experienced researchers with a good knowledge and understanding of accepted practices in research who actively promote UWS’s commitment to the responsible conduct of research.

Staff, students and affiliates can contact Research Ethics and Integrity Advisors to obtain confidential advice on good research practices, including publication and dissemination of research findings, authorship, conflicts of interests and management of research data and primary materials. If you are unsure about a research conduct issue or need advice about a potentially questionable research practice, please contact a Research Ethics and Integrity Advisor. Advisors can provide confidential advice,  explain the Code and the policies and procedures of the University, and discuss the options for taking action.

Advisors can also advise you on the process of making an allegation of a potential breach of the Code. However, please note that Advisors are not involved in investigating or assessing any allegation, and will not make contact with the person who is the subject of the allegation, or be involved in any subsequent inquiry.

Research Ethics and Integrity Advisors are available on the Bankstown, Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, Parramatta and Penrith campuses. A list of staff members who have been appointed as Research Ethics and Integrity Advisors is below.  

The following members of staff have been appointed as Research Ethics and Integrity Advisors for the University and may be approached by staff or students from any area:

The University of Western Sydney's Integrity in Research Committee has the responsibility of advising on high level issues relating to the ethical and professional conduct of research. The committee's terms of reference are found in Clause 61 of the UWS Research Code of Practice.

The committee:

• provides confidential advice to both staff and students on ethical issues in research matters, including potential conflict of interest in funding and sponsorship.
• will receive, in confidence, notification from researchers on any affiliation or financial involvement in, or payments or other assistance in kind from, any organisation with direct interest in the subject matter or materials of their research. A confidential Register of this information is maintained by the committee. 
• will liaise with external bodies such as research funding bodies and journal editors in the event of actual or alleged conflict of interest in research.
• provides advice to the Vice-Chancellor on issues of integrity in research. 
• does not have a role in the administration of ethics protocols at UWS. This is the role of the UWS Human Research Ethics, Animal and Biosafety committees, and the Ethics Officers within the Office of Research Services. 
• does not have a role in the management of misconduct in research at UWS. See Section 45 of the University of Western Sydney Academic Staff Agreement 2009 – 2012 (PDF, 960Kb).

For all matters relating to the Integrity in Research Committee please contact Dr Jane Hobson.

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