Research Integrity and Ethics
Research built on trust, collaboration and social value.
At 黑料正能量, we believe that the most meaningful research emerges when creativity, curiosity and collaboration are underpinned by trust. As the Professionally Creative University for the future, we bring together academic rigour and creative thinking to generate knowledge, foster innovation and create positive social, cultural and economic impact.
Research integrity and ethics make that possible. They create the conditions for creativity to flourish, partnerships to thrive, and our work to be trusted. Guided by our values of honesty, rigour, care and respect, transparency and open communication, and accountability, we embed integrity throughout our research, knowledge exchange, enterprise and innovation activities.
As a supporter of the , we are committed to fostering a positive research culture where good practice is nurtured, researchers are supported to develop and thrive, and research is conducted responsibly for the benefit of society.
Integrity in a Professionally Creative research environment
Professional Creativity in research combines academic rigour with the mindset of the creative practitioner: approaching challenges with curiosity, courage, and openness, whilst exploring new possibilities, experimenting, collaborating and learning.
Through this approach, professionally creative research transforms ideas into meaningful social, cultural and economic impact.
This creativity is strengthened by a commitment to research integrity. Integrity provides the confidence to explore new ideas, build meaningful partnerships, navigate complexity and ensure that research is conducted responsibly. It enables innovation while maintaining the trust of participants, partners, funders and the wider public.
Whether working with communities, cultural organisations, public services, businesses, schools, creative practitioners or international partners, we are committed to ensuring that our research is:
- Honest, rigorous and transparent
- Ethically designed and responsibly conducted
- Respectful of all participants, partners and communities as equals
- Inclusive and socially responsible
- Compliant with legal, regulatory and professional standards
- Open to challenge, learning and continuous improvement
- Focused on generating knowledge, innovation and impact that benefit society
By embedding these principles throughout the research lifecycle, we ensure that research at BSU is trustworthy, impactful and capable of making a positive difference to society.
How can we help?
Planning a project?
If you are a staff member or a student (undergraduate, postgraduate taught or
doctoral researcher) you can visit our page to find information on:
- Research ethics review and approval
- Human participant research
- Research involving children or vulnerable groups
- Community-engaged and participatory research
- International research
- Data protection and GDPR
- Responsible and ethical use of AI
- Funding applications and sponsor requirements.
Funding and knowledge exchange
Research integrity begins long before a project starts, and often funders will have
specific requirements in terms of integrity and ethical practice that we can help you to
navigate alongside our own.
On you'll find guidance on:
- Ethics requirements for funding applications
- Responsible research and innovation
- Research governance requirements
- Due diligence and risk management
- Partnership and collaborative research
- Funder expectations and compliance.
Need advice or support?
The Research Support Office provides guidance and support on:
- Research ethics
- Research integrity
- Research governance
- Good research practice
- Research data management
- Publication and authorship issues
- Responsible use of AI in research
- Research misconduct procedures.
Please email researchsupportoffice@bathspa.ac.uk for more information.
Research ethics
Research ethics helps ensure that research is conducted responsibly, protects participants and researchers, and supports the production of trustworthy knowledge.
Our ethics processes are designed to be supportive, proportionate and educational, helping researchers to identify and manage ethical considerations from the earliest stages of project development. We don’t see ethical approval as just paperwork – the process is a tool for professional dialogue and accountability we see as fundamental to researcher development.
Ethical approval pathways
An ethical community of practice
We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of research integrity and professional conduct within our research culture. Just some of the resources available to support researchers include:
- Code of Good Practice for Research
- Approach-to-Research-Integrity
- (including templates, step-by-steps, resources, reading lists)
- Responsible Use of AI in Research Guidance
- Research Misconduct Investigation Procedure
- Training and Development Resources.
Together, these policies, procedures and resources support a research environment that is transparent, accountable and committed to continuous improvement. But we know research integrity is about people as much as policies and guidance. It is about creating the space for everyday conversations, support and shared expertise that help good research thrive.
Our network of School Ethics Leads provide local advice and guidance on research ethics, acts as a friendly first point of contact for researchers, and help coordinate ethical review within each disciplinary area. You can find out who your School Ethics Lead is .
Research integrity learning and development
Research integrity is an ongoing professional responsibility and a core component of researcher development. BSU provides training and support covering:
- Research ethics
- Responsible conduct of research
- Research integrity
- Open research practices
- Research data management
- Publication and authorship ethics
- Responsible use of AI
- Research governance and compliance.
Training is available to staff, doctoral researchers and student researchers as part of our wider commitment to creating a positive and supportive research culture.
Speaking up and seeking advice
If you have a question, would like advice, or are concerned about any research conducted under the auspices of 黑料正能量, we encourage you to get in touch.
Whether you are a member of staff, a student, a research participant, a collaborator, a partner organisation or a member of the public, we welcome enquiries and concerns raised in good faith.
We are committed to listening carefully and handling concerns fairly and respectfully. Not all concerns constitute research misconduct, and in many cases advice, clarification or early support may be all that is needed. We encourage openness, constructive dialogue and the early resolution of issues wherever possible.
As a supporter of the Concordat to Support Research Integrity, BSU maintains a Research Misconduct Investigation Procedure aligned with guidance.
The procedure provides a fair, proportionate and transparent framework for anyone considering concerns, while ensuring that everyone is treated with care and respect throughout.
Named Person for Research Integrity
- Professor John Strachan
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise)
j.strachan@bathspa.ac.uk
John is the University's Named Person for Research Integrity and the first point of contact for concerns relating to research misconduct or the integrity of research conducted under the auspices of BSU.
Research Integrity Officer
- Joe Fort
Research Projects and Governance Manager
j.fort@bathspa.ac.uk
Joe supports the University's research integrity framework, promotes good research practice, coordinates research misconduct investigation processes, and works with colleagues across the University to foster a positive culture of integrity, openness and continuous improvement.
General research integrity and ethical approval support
- Research Support Office
researchsupportoffice@bathspa.ac.uk
The Research Support Office is happy to help you navigate research integrity within your practice, as well as the ethical approval process.
We're accountable
As a supporter of the Concordat to Support Research Integrity 2025, BSU publishes annual statements outlining our activities, progress and ongoing commitment to strengthening research integrity across the institution.
Through openness, reflection and continuous improvement, these statements demonstrate how we build a research culture grounded in trust, collaboration and social value.