Research integrity and governance in a contentious policy arena
This research investigated leading practice into research integrity governance mechanisms, implementation, application, and public acceptance.
Successive Australian Governments have developed research policies that actively encourage industry to fund university research, something that is common throughout the world. Universities are expected to engage with industry to ensure that research programs address real challenges and contribute to innovation and growth. However, this same industry funding can also lead people to question whether the research is truly independent and free from bias. These concerns are particularly evident where the research relates to a high-profile and contentious topic such as coal seam gas development.
Research integrity and its governance are critical to the Centre's ability to be a leading contributor to the CSG policy debate, as they are central to establishing stakeholder trust in the university by assuring research independence. Research integrity is also integral to ensuring that the financial investment provided by Centre members is safeguarded by the management of a key element of risk – the risk of adverse public opinion based on possible claims of research misconduct and industry bias.
The identified stakeholder trust as a major research area and suggested a number of management strategies and processes that influence research integrity. This led to a major research project investigating stakeholder trust.
This research assists the Centre to clarify guidelines and robust processes of research integrity and governance that reinforce research outputs from the Centre.
PROJECT OUTPUTS
- Final report: Regulatory Approaches In The Unconventional Gas Sector (2017)
- Internal working paper: A report reviewing and analyses desktop and qualitative research regarding i) research integrity and research integrity governance and ii) key research integrity issues for the UQ Centre for Coal Seam Gas
- Research poster: Centre Research Review (2013)
- New research project: This led to a major research project: Changes in stakeholder trust in CSG over time
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