Research Integrity at PML: Annual Statement 2025
PML’s core values support our motivation to make a difference; working together to achieve our shared purpose, leading by example, communicating effectively to ensure everybody’s voice is heard and investing energy for meaningful change. Our values apply to all aspects of our science and business activity and are fundamental in achieving PML’s strategic objectives.
We are committed to following the principles of the Universities UK ‘Concordat to Support Research Integrity’ and recently reviewed and updated our policies to reflect the latest guidance.
This statement details the actions taken at PML to maintain research integrity during 2025.
You can read more about PML’s Research Integrity here.
Policies and guidelines relating to research integrity used at PML
The following external policies were published or revised in 2025 and have been considered in relation to internal policies and processes at PML.
UKRI Concordat to support research integrity
- UKRI Policy on the Governance of Good research Practice
- UKRI Guidance for research Organisations on the Investigation of Research Misconduct
- UKRI Funding Assurance Strategy
Internal policies:
- Intellectual Rights policy revised in February 2025
- Handling Allegations of Research Misconduct updated in December 2025
Training and Internal Communication
PML staff and management have engaged in the following ‘Research Integrity’ relevant training and communication activities:
- Research Ethics training was provided for the set-up of PML’s internal Research Ethics Committee.
- A UKRIO Research Ethics Training Suite has been provided.
Formal ‘Research Ethics’ Applications
The following requests for formal ethical approval of research activities were submitted and/or approved in 2025:
- Primary Focus Schools Survey & Institution survey
- ALAN – BWS Survey Chile – Preferences for artificial light at night in Chilean Urban Marine and Coastal environments
- Carbon sequestration in BLUe EcoSystems
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
- The Data Protection (GDPR) policy was revised in 2025.
- No breaches of GDPR regulations were identified in 2025.
Quality Assurance
To ensure quality of research in 2025:
- ISO9001:2015 (Quality), ISO45001:2018 (Health & Safety) and ISO14001:2015 (Environment) recertification occurred and certification for all three ISO standards was maintained.
- PML completed the following proficiency testing in 2025:
-Quasimeme Nutrients proficiency testing;
-Quasimeme Ocean Acidification proficiency testing
External Partners
- There were no complaints reported from external partners in 2025.
- There were no due diligence activities that were required for external partners in 2025.
Monitoring and Reporting Research Misconduct
- There were no formal reports of research misconduct commitment by a PML member of staff in 2025.
- Following a formal report of research misconduct, the PML policy first requires an informal investigation to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to support a formal investigation.
- In 2025 no formal investigations were undertaken.
- In 2025 there were no formal allegations of potential research misconduct committed by external partners against PML members of staff.
Tim Smyth – PML Director of Science
