Research Misconduct
Academic Senate in its recent meeting endorsed a new Research Misconduct Policy which includes a process to investigate and reach conclusions about alleged research misconduct and take action against academics involved.
A number of NTEU members on Senate raised concerns that this Policy conflicted with the misconduct and discipline procedures which the University must follow as a result of the UoW Academic Staff Enterprise Agreement.
University management made a commitment to Senate that the Policy was not intended to and would not be applied in any way to breach the Agreement.
NTEU met with management on the afternoon following the Senate meeting. At that meeting we requested that the Policy be amended prior to going to University Council for fomal adoption to ensure that it does not conflict with misconduct procedures in the Agreement.
The effect of the Policy passed by the Senate is that:
- An academic could face a public hearing before a 3 person tribunal selected by the Vice- Chancellor which reaches conclusions on whether misconduct occurred and then it would be referred through another Misconduct Committee under the Enterprise Agreement process which also reports to the Vice-Chancellor.
- The Vice-Chancellor could not remain unbiased as a result of reaching conclusions from the first committee report before going through the committee process in the Agreement.
- The Policy reads as if disciplinary action can be taken against an academic in some situations without the allegations going through the misconduct procedures in the Agreement.
- The Policy definition of ‘research misconduct’ and ‘breach’ are far broader than the definitions that are required out of the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research.
We will give members an update when management respond. NTEU have indicated that if necessary we will have an industrial dispute about this matter.
If you face any possible research misconduct allegation please contact the NTEU immediately for advice.