The Research and Knowledge Exchange Directorate has overall responsibility for the promotion and development of research across the University, supporting the strategic goals of the University's departments and academic staff in researcher development, governance and policy.
Our vision for Research and Knowledge Exchange:
To grow our engagement with research and with knowledge exchange (KE) activities, to create and apply our expertise to inform teaching and professional practice and in turn, to positively impact our stakeholders, the economy and our communities in the region of Cumbria and beyond.
We are committed to protecting your personal information as required by the data protection laws, including the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).
"Personal data" is any information from which you can be identified. The personal data we collect, and how we process it, varies depending on your interactions with us. “Process” means anything we do with your personal data.
For further information on how we keep your personal data secure, who we share it with and what rights you have under data protection law, please visit the University’s Data Protection webpages.
We also process your data as set out in our Data Protection Policy.
Guide to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) GDPR
The Code of Practice for Research applies to all researchers undertaking research at the University. For Postgraduate Research students, this must be read in conjunction with the Postgraduate Research Code of Practice.
The Research and Knowledge Exchange Directorate supports the principles of the Lone Worker Policy . These should be read in conjunction with the Lone Worker Procedures for Researchers, which consider issues specific to undertaking research. The University also supports the principles of Open Access.
Research Integrity
The Code of Practice for Research sets out the principles of good conduct in research to be adhered by, and directly supports the University’s commitment to the UK Committee on Research Integrity Concordat to Support Research Integrity (refreshed April 2025). It also reflects our commitment to the principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers (2011).
The first point of contact for anyone wanting more information on matters of research integrity is the Head of Research & Knowledge Exchange, Anish Kurien.
The Head Research & Knowledge Exchange, Anish Kurien is the confidential liaison for whistle-blowers or any other person wishing to raise concerns about the integrity of research being conducted at the University. The process for dealing with allegations of research misconduct is outlined in section 5.1 of the Code of Practice for Research). Allegations of misconduct in research must be provided in writing to Anish Kurien. In the case that an allegation of misconduct was received, a statement would be provided to the University Board following conclusion of the investigation process. This would be reflected in publicly available University Board records, to improve accountability, and provide assurances that measures being taken continue to support consistently high standards of research integrity.
Compliance with the Concordat to Support Research Integrity
In line with the requirements of the UK Committee on Research Integrity's Concordat to Support Research Integrity, the University’s Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee reviews and approves an annual statement summarising how research integrity is promoted and supported, including details of related activities undertaken across the University. This statement also includes anonymised information about how allegations of misconduct in research have been assessed and investigated. This information is also provided to University Board. This statement is available here Research Integrity Statement 23-24.
Open Access
The Open Access Policy sets the University’s expectation in relation to open access, and the requirements for eligibility for outputs in the Research Excellence Framework (REF). Use our research repository, Insight, to make your research openly accessible: submit your author accepted manuscript as soon as it's been accepted for publication.
For further information on the University’s Open Access Policy, how to publish research outputs as Open Access, Open Access Publisher deals and other useful links and support, please visit the University’s Open Research pages.
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is an assessment of higher education institutions undertaken by Research England. It provides accountability for public investment in research, benchmarking information, and informs the selective allocation of research funding to the University. It also serves to highlight the excellent research being undertaken by our academics. The University's UOC REF2021 Code of Practice was approved by Research England and used to identify staff, select outputs, and ensure equitable, fair and transparent decision making.
REF2029
The UK REF have released further details in December 2023 of the upcoming research evaluation exercise. The details include an announcement to extend the timing for the next REF exercise to 2029. Work is underway to develop and revise some areas of the detail for a REF 2029 exercise.
Keep up to date with the latest key information and developments on REF2029 by visiting our dedicated REF2029 webpage.
For information about how the REF and the University use third party evidence of impact in the REF2021 excerise, see: External Guidance REF 2021 Information for Research Users and Collaborators
For any enquiries related to your research at the University of Cumbria, please get in touch with our Research Office:
