Handling allegations of research misconduct: A UK university perspective - Dr Rhys Morgan, Head of Policy, Governance and Integrity, University of Cambridge

• Emphasises duty of care to employees and need to safeguard reputations of the exonerated. [...] • Three stage procedure (based on the UK Research Integrity Office template Research Misconduct Procedure ): • Initial review to establish whether the allegation requires investigation under the policy. [...] Characteristics of an Investigation • Preliminary stage: • Two University officers (expert and no conflict of interest) form an investigatory committee • Interview Respondent and Complainant and review all evidence. [...] • Potential approaches: • Very clear principles are required regarding the need to maintain confidentiality and the circumstances in which information will be disclosed. [...] • Most importantly we need to keep in mind the need to balance the rights and needs to the research record, complainants, respondents and other stakeholders.