Research Integrity at PML: Annual Statement 2024

We are committed to following the principles of the Universities UK ‘Concordat to Support Research Integrity’ and recently reviewed and updated our policies to reflect the latest guidance.

This statement details the actions taken at PML to maintain research integrity during 2024.

You can read more about PML’s Research Integrity here.

Policies and guidelines relating to research integrity used at PML

The following external policies were published or revised in 2024 and have been considered in relation to internal policies and processes at PML.

• UKRI Policy on the Governance of Good research Practice
• UKRI Funding Assurance Strategy
• Use of generative artificial intelligence in application preparation and assessment

There were no internal PML policies that relate to research integrity revised or developed in 2024

Training and Internal Communication

PML staff and management have engaged in the following ‘Research Integrity’ relevant training and communication activities:

• 20 new starter ‘corporate’ inductions were completed in 2024 – 11 new colleagues were inducted in March 2024, with 9 new colleagues inducted in November.
• In 2024, additional EDI training modules were added to raise awareness and understanding, with the following outcomes:
  • EDI training is 83% complete (an established training module)
  • Neurodiversity awareness is 78% complete (new module)
  • Unconscious bias is 78% complete (new module)
  • Disability awareness is 79% complete (new module)
  • Mental health awareness is 81% complete (this is also an established module)

Formal ‘Research Ethics’ Applications

The following requests for formal ethical approval of research activities were submitted and/or approved in 2024:

• Ocean Connectedness: Psychological Scale Construction
• FOCUS National Capabilities International project – feasibility of blue carbon schemes in Malaysia
• EcoNex – impacts of offshore wind farms on commercial fisheries

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

• There were no updates to GDPR documentation in 2024
• No breaches of GDPR regulations were identified in 2024.

Quality Assurance

To ensure quality of research in 2024:

• ISO9001:2015 (Quality), ISO45001:2018 (Health & Safety) and ISO14001:2015 (Environment) certification was maintained.
• PML completed the following proficiency testing in 2024:
  • – Quasimeme Nutrients proficiency testing;
  • -Quasimeme Ocean Acidification proficiency testing

External Partners

• A single research integrity incident was raised in relation to an external partner in 2024, who investigated and responded in line with their policy and procedures.

Monitoring and Reporting Research Misconduct

• In 2024 there were no formal reports of research misconduct committed by a PML member of staff.
• Following a formal report of research misconduct, the PML policy first requires an informal investigation to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to support a formal investigation.
• In 2024 no formal investigations were undertaken.
• In 2024 there were no formal allegations of potential research misconduct committed by external partners against PML members of staff.

Tim Smyth – PML Director of Science