Research ethics and integrity
Policies and guidance
Our policies inform the research we do.
Our policies are underpinned by the Concordat to Support Research Integrity and the UK Research Integrity Office's (UKRIO) Code of Practice for Research.
Download the York St John University research ethics policy: York St John Research Ethics Policy (docx, 70.9 kB)
Misconduct in research
York St John University is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards in research carried out by its staff and students. The University treats all allegations of misconduct seriously and is committed to ensuring that allegations are investigated with thoroughness and rigour in accordance with the Research Misconduct Policy and Procedures (docx, 68.3 kB).
Please see the York St John Whistleblowing Policy for further details of how to escalate your concerns.
Research Security
Researchers engaged in collaboration, international or otherwise, should also consider the potential security risks and act to prevent or mitigate them.
Foreign Influence Registration Scheme
Please see the Sector guidance from the Home Office which gives examples of activities requiring registration (or not).
The Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) came into effect on 1st July 2025 and is part of the National Security Act 2023. It aims to understand activities that could pose risk which universities, their staff and students work on that are ‘directed’ by foreign powers. Types of activity are not limited to research and could include public engagement and consultancy. Registration of an arrangement or activity does not in itself mean that it is necessarily illegitimate or undesirable. FIRS does not prevent any activity from taking place; providing the arrangements are transparent, related activities can proceed as normal.
The scheme’s requirements are split into two tiers:
- The political influence tier, which requires the registration of arrangements with any foreign power (except the Republic of Ireland) to carry out political influence activities in the UK. Registration requirements only apply where there is a direction from a foreign power to act. For example, certain communication activities (including
meetings) or the provision of money, goods or services which are intended to e.g., influence an election, the decision of a minister, the proceedings of a UK registered
political party or a member of the Houses of Commons/Lords. These must be registered within 28 calendar days of the arrangement2 being made. - The enhanced tier, which requires the registration of arrangements to conduct a wider set of activities but only with the foreign powers or foreign power-controlled
entities which have been specified in regulations. Relevant activities could be hosting a placement in the specified foreign country, undertaking a research project or sending data from the UK to a specified foreign power. The specified foreign powers currently are Iran and Russia. Registration is required within 10 calendar days.
Under both tiers registration is required by the individual or the organisation who makes the registerable arrangement with the foreign power. Activity is only registerable where carried out in the UK. As such, any activities carried out wholly at overseas universities (as may be the case with some research collaborations or transnational education arrangements) would not require registration.
YSJ’s Senior Responsible Officer is Prof Robert Mortimer.
Staff can register here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/foreign-influence- registration-scheme-how-to-register-online/foreign-influence-registration-scheme-how-to-register-online
If you would like advice please contact the ResearchOffice@yorksj.ac.uk
Annual Reports
In line with the Concordat we will publish an annual report of the work we are doing and the applications made to our ethics committees.
