Integrity Advisors

Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital’s Research Integrity Advisors (RIAs) provide advice to researchers and support RBWH’s research integrity procedures.

What is a Research Integrity Advisor (RIA)?

RIAs are persons who have research experience and a knowledge of the expected standards of research and how they are expected to be applied. They are researchers from all levels of the research continuum whom you can ask for help if you have questions about research integrity or about the conduct of research at RBWH. Metro North will also have RIAs at other facilities.

What does an RIA do?

RIAs provide guidance and advice on responsible research practices as outlined in the Code, and in organisational policies and procedures. They can be consulted to obtain advice about:

• responsible research conduct;
• the options available to resolve a research integrity matter; and
• details of the process for making a formal allegation or complaint in relation to research conduct

What does an RIA NOT do?

RIA’s will not:

• Act as an advocate for or on behalf of any person;
• Contact the person who is the subject of your concern;
• Investigate or manage any formal concerns pertaining to or allegations of research misconduct;
• Provide advice if it is a matter where they perceive they have a conflict of interest; and/or
• Manage issues of sexual harassment or bullying. (These should be raised initially through the Line Manager.)

When should I speak with an RIA?

Any person including researchers, staff, students, members of the external community, may speak with an RIA if they need confidential advice about:

• the conduct of research;
• research integrity matters that they think may be research misconduct; or
• policies or procedures related to research misconduct.

Staff can contact any RIA listed below, even those outside their Department

Is the meeting with an RIA confidential?

Yes. However, RIA’s must report certain events if they involve:

• risks to the health, safety or welfare of a person, including but not limited to bulling, harassment or vilification;
• risks the security or reputation of RBWH;
• has the potential to interfere with evidence that might relate to the allegations; or
• demonstrates other circumstances considered to be serious enough to warrant immediate action.

At all times, if this does happen, provisions will be put in place to protect your privacy and confidentiality if allowed under legislation, for example the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2010 (Qld)[1] .

[1] Under this Act identifying information about a person making a disclosure, the person/s alleged to have engaged in wrongdoing and details of the disclosure are all confidential.  It is an offence to reveal confidential information except in certain circumstances.

How can I contact an RIA?