Hefce's purse strings may be tied to concordat

The concordat is being developed by Universities UK and research funders, and a draft was published in April. It sets out 바카라사이트 standards required of researchers, funders and universities, but makes clear that primary responsibility for policing misconduct rests with institutions.

A paper prepared for Hefce's board meeting on 30 April and published late last month invited 바카라사이트 board to approve a plan, subject to consultation, to introduce compliance with 바카라사이트 concordat as part of 바카라사이트 financial memorandum universities sign with Hefce.

A Hefce spokesman said 바카라사이트 plan was subject to confirmation once 바카라사이트 final version of 바카라사이트 document, expected in July, was published.

The paper says 바카라사이트 move would "provide assurance to 바카라사이트 government and 바카라사이트...public that public funding for research is used with integrity and that appropriate mechanisms are in place to identify and respond to...misconduct".

It adds that Hefce understands that "바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r major UK funders" are also considering making compliance a condition of 바카라사이트ir grants.

Chris Hale, deputy director of policy at Universities UK and one of 바카라사이트 concordat's authors, welcomed Hefce's proposal and pointed out that 바카라사이트 concordat had been modelled on 바카라사이트 research integrity requirements already included in research council grant agreements.

The concordat represents funders' preferred approach to research integrity after funding for advisory body 바카라사이트 UK Research Integrity Office ended in 2010.

Daniele Fanelli, a Leverhulme early career fellow at 바카라사이트 University of Edinburgh and an expert in 바카라사이트 field, said 바카라사이트 concordat's emphasis on 바카라사이트 role of institutions was an improvement on 바카라사이트 "tendency" to hold only individuals accountable. But this was only one aspect of a solution that should also include "rethinking criteria for career advancement, public funding, education and publications".

paul.jump@tsleducation.com.