The University of Cambridge is an international research community with researchers and students from around the world. Our research benefits from collaboration from across the world and it is a significant strength that our researchers play a leading role within the global research community.
As well as the huge benefits that are offered by international research collaboration, it is important to recognise and seek to mitigate the associated risks. The University expects researchers to take personal responsibility for being aware of the risks posed by international collaboration and to be proactive in addressing these. The University provides guidance and support to enable researchers to be responsible in their international research.
Trusted Research
The UK Government Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI), has developed Trusted Research Guidance to help understand and manage potential risks and support the integrity of continuing international research collaboration. The advice is designed to help you protect your research from theft and exploitation.
In line with the CPNI guidance, UKRI has recently published Trusted Research and Innovation Principles that set out its expectations in relation to due diligence for international collaboration. Organisations it funds as well as those awarded new and existing grants are required to work within these principles.
The University will launch its own Trusted Research webpages in October 2021 to help researchers understand their responsibilities and seek assistance.
Due diligence for new research relationships
PIs and researchers working with UK and international organisations need to be assured that these new partnerships do not expose the University to risks, such as financial and legal harm and damage to its academic standing and reputation.
In order to mitigate against these risks, the Due Diligence team at the Research Office will undertake a reputational risk assessment of any new funding relationship or collaborating third party. This will be undertaken in line with the University’s mission and core values and the University of Cambridge Risk Management Policy.
Researchers considering new institutional research relationships, particularly with overseas partners, are encouraged to trigger the new funder/ collaborator process as early as possible.
Due diligence for philanthropic donations
The Philanthropic Due Diligence Team at Development and Alumni Relations aims to protect the University’s reputation by providing due diligence reviews on all potential donations over £100,000. Proposed donations over £1 million or those that are particularly controversial are reviewed by the University’s Committee on Benefactions and External and Legal Affairs (CBELA).
The due diligence is based on the University’s Ethical Guidelines, and also, since October 2020, the University’s climate change guidelines.
To help Heads of Departments and Institutions to identify potentially risky donations, a checklist is available as Appendix 5 within the Procedures for Handling Donations.
Conflict of interest
Researchers working internationally, particularly those who receive funding from abroad, should be aware of and comply with the University’s expectations for declaration of conflicts of interest. Most staff will encounter situations during their careers when personal interests could reasonably be perceived as affecting, or having the potential to affect, their ability to make impartial decisions on the University’s behalf. This does not imply improper conduct or lack of integrity. What is important is that all such conflicts are disclosed, reviewed and (if necessary) managed in order to avoid the risk of decisions being, or appearing to be, improperly influenced, and to prevent damage to the reputation of the individual or the University.
All University staff are required to "declare to their Head of Department any personal interest, which may affect any University Business and act in accordance with the instructions given as to management of any conflict" (Financial Regulations A2.3).
Researchers should familiarise themselves with the University’s Conflict of Interest Policy ( https://www.governanceandcompliance.admin.cam.ac.uk/governance-and-strategy/university-wide-conflict-interest-policy) and ensure that they comply with it.
Further guidance and training on Responsible Collaboration is being prepared and will be launched later in the academic year.