Research governance and integrity policies

At Kingston University, research governance is built around robust policies to ensure the integrity, transparency and quality of our research activities. Our approach is aligned with national frameworks and guides our researchers in ethical decision-making, compliance with legal requirements and the maintenance of high research standards.

Kingston University adheres to strict ethical standards and guidelines for conducting animal research. We are committed to ensuring that all animal studies are carried out responsibly, with oversight to ensure compliance with the highest ethical standards and legal regulations.

The University does not carry out research involving animals on its premises. The Home Office licenses all scientific procedures in the UK under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act, (ASPA) 1986.

In 2012, ASPA was amended to bring UK law into line with the requirement of EU Directive 2010/63, and new codes of practice and guidance came into effect from 1 January 2013. Visit the UK government's website for full details on the law on scientific research and testing involving animals.

Where Kingston University staff or students are associated with research involving animals, researchers are advised at an early stage to consider the opportunities for reduction, replacement and refinement of animal involvement.

Any research involving animals is conducted by suitably qualified and licensed individuals at licensed premises, and is subject to ethical approval by an appropriately qualified research ethics committee. The nature of Kingston University's involvement is recorded on the Kingston University Research Ethics Online System (KUREOS).

We are using definitions as per the ASPA:

Protected ‘animals' under ASPA includes all vertebrate species and cephalopods including octopus, squid and cuttlefish. It also extends to the embryonic stages of these animals once they have developed to a point where they can experience pain.

By ‘research' we refer to animal experiments that could potentially cause pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm to animals under the responsibility of humans. Observational research that does not cause any harm is usually acceptable but the PVC (Research) should be informed of any projects which could be deemed controversial.

Kingston University upholds the principles of the Concordat to Support Research Integrity, ensuring that all research conducted is honest, transparent and in the public interest. This framework provides clear guidelines for maintaining ethical research practices.

The Concordat sets out five commitments to which we ascribe:

• We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of rigour and integrity in all aspects of research.
• We are committed to ensuring that research is conducted according to appropriate ethical and legal and professional frameworks, obligations and standards.
• We are committed to supporting a research environment that is underpinned by a culture of integrity and based on good governance, best practice and support for the development of researchers.
• We are committed to using transparent, robust and fair processes to deal with allegations of research misconduct should they arise.
• We are committed to working together to strengthen the integrity of research and to reviewing progress regularly and openly.

Our university is dedicated to providing support for the career development of researchers. The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers outlines key principles aimed at enhancing researchers’ professional growth and job satisfaction throughout their careers.

The Concordat has three defining Principles covering:

• Environment and culture
• Employment
• Professional and career development. 

For each of these Principles, the Concordat outlines the key responsibilities of the four main stakeholder groups;

• Researchers
• Manager of researchers
• Institutions
• Funders. 

These responsibilities are cast as obligations, given the pressing need to improve standards and to ensure a consistency of experience for our researchers across the UK. Recognition of the importance of recruiting, selecting and retaining researchers with the highest potential to achieve excellence in research.

Kingston submitted to 11 Units of Assessment in REF 2021, with the submission including a total of 414 staff from across the four University Faculties and 37 impact case studies.

70% of Kingston University's research was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent, up a 10% increase on REF 2014, with the University rising 13 places in the Times Higher Education Research Power rankings.

The results demonstrated that:

Almost a quarter of Kingston's research, 23%, was rated world-leading (4*), compared to 16% in REF 2014, with the University also ranking fifth out of 14 University Alliance institutions in the overall tables.

Five Units of Assessment saw more than 70% of overall research rated as 4* or 3* - Art and Design, Allied Health, Performing Arts, Computer Science and English. More than half of the submission in Art and Design was rated world leading.

Four Units of Assessment secured 100% rating of 4* or 3* for their impact - Art and Design, Performing Arts, Education, and Psychology. Art and Design also received 100% 4* or 3* rating for environment.

Six Units of Assessment scored above the sector average for impact – Art and Design, Performing Arts, Politics, Education, Allied Health and Psychology.

All 11 of the Units of Assessment the University submitted had a majority of 4* or 3* research overall.

To find out more about Kingston University's research strategy, see the research strategy page.