Go8 Guiding Principles For Implementing Part B Of The Australian Code For The Responsible Conduct Of Research Go8 Consultation Paper

The release of the "Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2007" by the Australian Government in 2007 was welcomed by Go8 (Group of Eight) institutions, particularly in relation to the improvements and broader scope of the matters covered by Part A of that Code. However, as foreshadowed by the Go8 during the consultation phase of the preparation of the Code, significant risks to researchers and institutions arise from Part B of the Code, especially as a result of the unavoidable confluence of considerations relating to allegations of research misconduct and the terms of employment of university staff. The Go8 has engaged in a very constructive dialogue with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) about these issues. This consultation paper has been prepared in response to the NHMRC's written confirmation of January 2008 that Part B of the Code is intended as: (1) "a guide to good practice" only; and (2) "a principles-based approach, rather than being prescriptive." The purpose of this consultation paper is to set out the principles upon which Go8 responses to the Code will be based. Once these principles have been agreed by Go8 institutions this paper will be provided to the NHMRC. It is hoped that the NHMRC's endorsement of the proposed approach will be forthcoming--allowing institutions to move to implementation of the Code and participation in enterprise bargaining processes with certainty. Through adoption of such guiding principles, the expectation is that Go8 universities will eventually have in place arrangements for handling allegations of research misconduct, which while responsive to particular requirements of each institution and State, will be broadly consistent and readily understood by university staff, students, government agencies and the wider community. Appended are: (1) Background discussion about issues arising from Part B of the Code; (2) Go8 & NHMRC correspondence over the Code. (Contains 1 footnote.).