Terms of reference
Committee objectives
The aim of the Academic Ethics and Integrity Committee is to oversee and promote the highest standards of integrity in all aspects of teaching and research.
Committee remit
The Committee will be responsible for advising Senate on the development, implementation and review of strategic procedures and guidelines relating to academic ethics. The Committee is responsible for the strategic development of the University's research integrity agenda, in compliance with the Concordat to Support Research Integrity.
The role of the Committee will be proactive in relation to emerging issues of national or international significance.
Functions and duties of the Committee
Functions include:
- upholding the highest standards of rigour and integrity in all aspects of research and research-related learning and teaching and to review progress regularly
- ensuring that research is conducted according to appropriate ethical, legal and professional frameworks, obligations and standards
- supporting an academic environment that is underpinned by a culture of integrity and based on good governance, best practice, and conducive to the development of researchers
Duties include:
- to advise Senate on the development of policies and guidelines relating to teaching and research ethics
- to advise Senate on the development, publication and review of criteria to be applied to research sponsorship
- to promote and monitor good practice relating to ethical considerations and maintaining academic integrity within the institution
- to monitor academic ethical practice within the University, providing advice to the Research Ethics Committees and Review Body on ethical issues and receiving minutes and annual reports from the Research Ethics Committees and Review Body where appropriate
- to formulate institutional responses to national and international developments relating to teaching and research ethics
- to consider any matters referred to the Committee by Council, Senate, the Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee, Boards of Studies, Departments/the School of Management and individual members of staff
Reporting lines and responsibilities of the Committee
The Academic Ethics and Integrity Committee reports to Senate. It also works closely with Council’s University Ethics Committee which is responsible for institutional ethics and with the Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee. Minutes are submitted to Senate for noting.
Procedural Rules
In the absence of any specific rules, the procedure is as set out in the Standing Orders of Senate.
Membership
A member may serve for no more than a total of nine (9) years save in exceptional cases.
Chair is Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research), ex officio. Membership includes the Chairs of the Research Ethics Committees and Review Body. See Senate Standing Order 2.1 for membership.
In attendance
SU Education Manager, and other officers as required.
Co-option
See Senate Standing Orders 2.4 - 2.7. The committee may co-opt additional members to provide areas of specific expertise not offered by the Faculty/School membership.
Alternates
See Senate Standing Orders 3.4 - 3.5.
Quorum
There shall be a quorum at meetings of one-third of the membership of the Committee. See Senate Standing Order 3.1.
Rules for voting
Minutes
Minutes are submitted to Senate.
Resources
Research Ethics and Integrity
Code of Ethics
University Research Ethics Committees and Review Body
Department Research Ethics officers
Queries on the University's ethics processes can be sent to research-ethics@bath.ac.uk
Version information
Owner: | Academic Ethics and Integrity Committee |
Version number: | |
Approval Date: | 20 May 1998, revised 24 March 1999, 15 June 2006, 19 October 2011, 3 December 2014, 16 November 2016, 18 November 2020, 3 February 2021, 8 June 2022, 16 November 2022, 8 November 2023 |
Approved By: | Senate |
Date of last review: | 8 November 2023 |