Research Integrity in the UK: Annual Statement 2025

This is the third annual statement produced by the UK Committee on Research Integrity. The UK Committee on Research Integrity’s 2025 statement provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of research integrity in the UK, a system with a strong foundation, that continues to support its growth and resilience. This annual statement outlines the core framework guiding UK research integrity. The statements present analysis of the latest available evidence about research integrity and share progress on the Committee’s ongoing work on the implications of generative AI (GenAI) for research integrity, and the processes used to address research misconduct and poor research practices. Although available evidence does not provide a complete picture of research integrity in the UK, it does point to a system that is actively working to support and protect these important values. Despite pressures on the UK system and its relative size compared with other research-intensive nations, evidence shows that research integrity remains a priority in the UK and that the system is performing well in maintaining these standards. However, continued progress is essential, and this remains the responsibility of everyone working in the research system. Within the statement, we emphasise the increasing importance of collaborative research that spans disciplinary boundaries, reflecting a broader shift in the research landscape toward addressing complex, real-world problems that cannot be solved within the confines of a single field. The statement also highlights a critical link between trust and impact suggesting that even the most innovative or potentially transformative research will fail to make a meaningful difference if it lacks credibility. Committee membership at time of publication: Chris Graf, Ian Gilmore, Jane Alfred, Jeremy Watson, Jil Matheson (interim co-chair), Louise Dunlop, Maria Delgado, Miles Padgett, Nandini Das, Rachael Gooberman-Hill (co-chair), Ralitsa Madsen.