In response to the recommendations of the 2019 internal audit by KPMG, our University is revising its Conflicts of Interest Policy.
The Research Integrity and Governance team invites staff to submit their comments on the draft policy and new guidance by emailing Anna Lewkowicz, Research Integrity Officer (Policy & Ethics), at [email protected] by Friday 22 October.
The policy outlines the responsibilities of staff and some students on reporting and managing conflicts of interest. It aims to protect both the individuals involved, as well as the University, from potential reputational damage or other liabilities.
A conflict of interest can occur when an individual’s duties to the University compete with, or appear to be influenced by, their personal interests or their duties to other people or organisations. A conflict can be actual or perceived, financial, non-financial, educational or institutional.
Drafted to better clarify our University’s conflicts of interest requirements, the policy is also supplemented by new guidance, which include examples of potential conflicts of interest scenarios. The guidance will help improve the ability of staff and students to recognise conflict situations, as well as offer practical advice on how to manage conflicts of interests.
Comments received from staff will help inform a further draft, which will then be consulted with relevant governing bodies including the Research Integrity and Governance Committee (RIGC), University Executive Board (UEB) and Senate.
It’s expected that the new, revised policy will be approved and published by the end of March 2022.
