Corporate report

Framework for integrity and independence of UKHSA’s science and research

Published 28 January 2026

Applies to England

Foreword

Science is at the core of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) mission to prevent, prepare for and respond to health hazards. Our science spans over 30 scientific disciplines across our sites and relies on close collaboration with research centres in industry, academia, NHS and government partners.

In 2025, the UK made a clear commitment to public health through a three-year funding settlement for UKHSA which meant that, for the first time in some years, we were able to start making longer term plans for our scientific development.

As a science-led organisation, it is critical that the research and evidence we rely on is independent, robust and transparent. We cannot achieve our mission of protecting public health without maintaining the highest levels of trust and confidence from both the public and our wide community of stakeholders.

This framework document sets out our commitment to ensuring the integrity and independence of our scientific and research activities and outlines the way in which we conduct, manage and communicate science in an open, trustworthy and responsible way.  We hope you enjoy reading it.

Professor Robin May

Interim Chief Scientific Officer

UK Health Security Agency

January 2026

Executive summary

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), is a public sector research establishment which supports DHSC and other government departments through the provision of scientific advice and evidence.

UKHSA published its Science Strategy in 2023, detailing its ambitions and commitments to science and research and the importance of collaborative high-quality research to generate evidence, of mechanisms for the open access dissemination of outputs, and the effective translation of evidence into actions to protect the health of the public.

As one of the key elements of the research and knowledge enabler of the Science Strategy, this framework outlines our commitment to embed integrity and independence of science and research activities in the culture and activities of UKHSA, clarifying the activities and practice to ensure the conduct, management and communication of science and research activities are undertaken in ways that are trustworthy, ethical and responsible.

The Framework for integrity and independence of UKHSA’s science and research is presented in 4 chapters:

1. Promoting a culture of scientific integrity and independence at UKHSA - including roles and responsibilities of UKHSA staff.
2. Scientific and research integrity at UKHSA - which summarises the core elements of scientific and research integrity, and the importance of quality and accuracy of UKHSA’s scientific data and research findings, including use of artificial intelligence.
3. Independence of scientific and research activities at UKHSA - which presents UKHSA’s commitment for its scientific and research activities to remain free from undue influence, including undue policy, political and commercial influences.
4. Publication and dissemination of UKHSA’s scientific outputs - which sets out the processes to ensure transparent and timely publication and dissemination of scientific outputs, following open science principles whenever possible

Introduction

Background

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), providing specialist scientific and clinical expert advice to policymakers. UKHSA is also a public sector research establishment (PSRE) and a national laboratory, forming part of the Government’s science capability.

Science underpins UKHSA’s operational and policy function: UKHSA provides scientific and operational leadership working with local, national and international partners to protect the public’s health and build the nation’s health security capability. UKHSA’s science spans several disciplines and relies on close collaboration with research centres in industry, academia, the NHS, and government partners.

In 2023, UKHSA published its 10-year Science Strategy that outlines the importance of:

• research, evaluation and other scientific activities to generate the evidence needed for health protection
• open access for the dissemination of scientific outputs
• effective translation of scientific outputs to provide the highest quality public health advice
• working effectively with partners to act on scientific evidence and put evidence into practice

The Science Strategy also outlines how UKHSA is committed to embedding its values (inclusive, insightful and impactful) into its science, including:

• inclusive – UKHSA is an open and collaborative organisation working in partnership across sectors
• insightful – UKHSA generates timely and high-quality scientific evidence to inform policy
• impactful – UKHSA harnesses the power of scientific research, data and technology to prevent and control threats to health

UKHSA is committed to ensuring that the integrity and independence of its scientific and research activities is rooted in its culture and activities, thus maintaining and strengthening the trust of the public and stakeholders in UKHSA.

This framework is a component of the research and knowledge enabler set out in the UKHSA Science Strategy. It aligns with UKHSA’s commitment to the UKCORI Concordat to support research integrity.

Purpose

Issues of scientific and research integrity can occur unintentionally through honest mistakes, flawed analyses, oversight due to lack of experience, or deliberately through acts of research or scientific misconduct.

The aim of the Framework for integrity and independence of UKHSA’s science and research is to outline the principles and processes in place within UKHSA to ensure that UKHSA’s science is trustworthy, ethical and responsible, and that it is free from undue influence, including undue policy, political and commercial influences. This includes ensuring that scientific and research activities are conducted at the highest ethical standard and that they follow good practice, including use of rigorous methods and quality assurance processes.

An internal version of the framework containing references to internal policies and guidance is available to UKHSA staff. This version provides an accessible summary of the framework for a wider public audience. The internal version is available on request, noting that some links may not be accessible to non-UKHSA staff.

Scope

This framework is aimed at, and applies to, all UKHSA staff, partners, collaborators and honorary contractors involved in scientific and research activities. This includes (but is not limited to):

• all scientific, medical, nursing, technical and support staff employed by UKHSA or working in UKHSA facilities
• all line managers, senior managers and senior leadership in UKHSA
• committee members formally appointed by UKHSA (such as members of scientific advisory committees)
• students, contractors, visitors and university staff funded from outside the organisation but working in UKHSA’s facilities
• persons with honorary positions and studentships

UKHSA’s scientific activities encompass both research (primary and secondary research) and non-research work. UKHSA’s research activities within scope include (but are not limited to):

• evaluation of public health tools and interventions
• surveillance and risk assessment of health threats
• behavioural and social science activities
• evidence synthesis

UKHSA’s non-research activities within scope include (but are not limited to):

• provision of scientific operational services, including sharing of samples and data
• teaching and outreach activities
• dissemination and communication of scientific findings

The framework also covers organisational processes, systems and the environment that enable UKHSA’s scientific and research activities, as well as publication of scientific outputs. All scientific outputs from UKHSA are within scope, including those published in peer-reviewed journals or on GOV.UK. This is to ensure that all outputs follow the principles of integrity and independence outlined in this framework.

Activities and outputs related to the interpretation of the science, such as public health advice and guidance are not formally in scope of this framework as they are covered by other quality processes. Official statistics are also not formally in scope as they are regulated by the Code of practice for statistics.

The definitions of scientific integrity and of independence of scientific and research activities are presented in the box below. Additional definitions relevant to this framework are presented in Annexe A.

Scientific integrity is the adherence to a set of activities and practices that ensure that scientific and research activities are conducted, managed, communicated and used in ways that are trustworthy, ethical and responsible. 

Independence of scientific and research activities means that these activities are conducted, analysed, synthesised and published without undue influences, such as policy, political and commercial pressures that could compromise integrity or transparency.

To note that working with external collaborators does not constitute undue influence when appropriate processes are followed and when the scientific and research activities themselves are conducted, analysed, synthesised and published free from undue influences. For instance:

• collaborations with external stakeholders, including through patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) and academic or commercial partnerships, are a crucial part of UKHSA research and scientific activities and do not constitute interference from undue influences when appropriate policies and guidance are followed (for example, through terms of references for steering groups)
• the topic and area of UKHSA scientific and research activities may be derived from strategic priorities defined by non-scientific experts, for instance through the annual remit letter from DHSC, and do not constitute interference from undue influences when the scientific and research activities themselves are conducted, analysed, synthesised and published free from undue influences

The framework for integrity and independence of UKHSA’s science and research: principles and commitments

The principles of scientific and research integrity as defined by UKCORI in the Concordat to support research integrity are presented below.

Honesty is crucial, from the presentation of research ideas and goals, through to authorship and financial contributions, and on to findings. Examples include honesty in reporting research methods and procedures, gathering data and information, referencing work, representing and acknowledging the work of others, conveying interpretations, and making justifiable claims based on research findings.

Rigour is demonstrated by behaviour that is in line with prevailing disciplinary norms and standards, including the use of appropriate methods. It may be evidenced through adherence to procedures, standards of practice and agreed protocols, as appropriate, and is expected when drawing interpretations and conclusions from research, including when communicating findings. The integrity of the research record should be protected through secure and rigorous approaches. 

Transparency and open communication provide the foundation for the actions taken when conducting or communicating about research. Examples may include declaring potential competing interests, reporting research data collection methods, acknowledging the use of tools such as emerging technologies, analysing and interpreting data, and publishing or otherwise sharing findings. This may include appropriate open research practices. It permits humility in the process, acknowledging errors committed in good faith and ensuring honest mistakes are seen as productive elements of research.  

Care and respect are expected for everyone and everything involved in the research system, and for the protection of the integrity of the research record. They should be extended to everyone involved in the research process, all participants in research, and for the subjects, users and beneficiaries of research, including humans, animals, the environment and cultural objects. Those engaged with research must also show care and respect for the integrity of the research record. 

Accountability is expected of everyone individually and collectively to create a research environment in which diverse individuals and organisations are empowered and enabled to own the research process and be accountable for their contributions to the research record. This includes being accountable to participants involved in research, and a responsibility to hold individuals and organisations to account when behaviour falls short of the standards set by the Concordat.

Building on these core elements, UKHSA’s commitments for integrity and independence of UKHSA’s science and research, described in more detail in the following sections, are summarised below. 

Commitment 1: UKHSA recognises that ensuring integrity and independence of UKHSA’s scientific and research activities is the responsibility of every contributor, from all disciplines and at all career stages. UKHSA is committed to ensure that all staff involved in scientific and research activities are familiar with this framework and adhere to its principles, and that UKHSA leadership at all levels recognise, support and promote the principles set out in this framework.

Commitment 2: UKHSA recognises and endorses the UKCORI Concordat to support research integrity. UKHSA is committed to maintain the highest standards of integrity in all aspects of its science and research.

Commitment 3: UKHSA recognises the importance of conducting scientific and research activities which are ethical and lawful. UKHSA is committed to ensure that its scientific and research activities are conducted following appropriate guidance and governance.

Commitment 4: UKHSA recognises the importance of robust information management and data governance as fundamental to ensuring the integrity, quality and accountability of all UKHSA’s scientific and research activities. UKHSA is committed to ensure that appropriate principles and regulations are followed when collecting, assessing, using, sharing and transferring research and scientific data.

Commitment 5: UKHSA recognises the importance of quality and accuracy of its research findings and data analysis, including when using artificial intelligence (AI). UKHSA is committed to ensure that 1) rigorous methods and best practices are followed to ensure quality of analysis, including proportionate quality assurance processes, and that 2) uncertainty, ambiguity and limitations are reported and communicated in a clear and intelligently transparent way.

Commitment 6: UKHSA is committed to ensure that the way its scientific and research activities are conducted, analysed, synthesised and published remain independent and free from undue influence, including undue policy, political and commercial influences. UKHSA recognises the importance of scientific partnerships and patient and public involvement, which do not constitute undue influence when conducted following appropriate guidance and governance, and when transparently reported.

Commitment 7: UKHSA is committed to open science, transparency and timely publication and dissemination of knowledge and evidence.

Chapter 1. Promoting a culture of scientific integrity and independence at UKHSA

General principles

UKHSA recognises and understands the importance of instilling and promoting a culture of scientific integrity and independence.

This builds on UKHSA’s commitment to creating a professional environment that is fair, equitable and inclusive, and to ensure that the workplace is free from bullying, harassment and discrimination.

Roles and responsibilities of UKHSA staff

All staff members should be familiar with UKHSA’s values and behaviours and must adhere to UKHSA’s Code of conduct.

Staff members must also adhere to the Seven principles of public life, the Civil Service code and, where relevant, to the codes of conduct from their profession and or from their professional memberships.

Commitment 1: UKHSA recognises that ensuring integrity and independence of UKHSA’s scientific and research activities is the responsibility of every contributor, from all disciplines and at all career stages. UKHSA is committed to ensure that all staff involved in scientific and research activities are familiar with this framework and adhere to its principles, and that UKHSA leadership at all levels recognise, support and promote the principles set out in this framework.

Conflict of interests

Conflict of interest must be transparently declared and managed, with all staff required to complete declarations and update them as needed.

This applies to individuals working with or on behalf of the agency, including honorary contract holders, contingent labourers, staff employed by any company acting on behalf of UKHSA, non-executive members of UKHSA’s advisory board and members of scientific advisory committees formally appointed by UKHSA.

Scientific misconduct

UKHSA recognises and understands the importance of having robust and appropriate processes in place to manage scientific misconduct. UKHSA staff are encouraged to challenge scientific misconduct (including plagiarism, falsification of results or breaking of confidentiality), bad practice and breaches of the principles of scientific integrity and independence outlined in this framework.

To safeguard the integrity and the work of UKHSA, any case of misconduct, or any genuine suspicion of scientific misconduct, must be reported following established UKHSA policies such as research misconduct, whistleblowing and disciplinary procedures.

Professional development

As part of its commitment to integrity and independence of its scientific and research activities, UKHSA encourages all staff, especially those in scientific roles and those who are research active, to undertake relevant learning and development activities. This includes mandatory and optional training to support ethical research practices and regulatory compliance.

Training in counter fraud, bribery and corruption is mandatory for all UKHSA employees

All members of staff are entitled to and encouraged to access opportunities for professional development.

Chapter 2. Scientific and research integrity at UKHSA

General principles

Commitment 2: UKHSA recognises and endorses the UKCORI Concordat to support research integrity. UKHSA is committed to maintain the highest standards of integrity in all aspects of its science and research.

As part of this commitment, UKHSA publishes its annual statement on research integrity on UKHSA’s research website.

All scientific and research activities conducted within UKHSA must follow the principles of scientific and research integrity of honesty, rigour, transparency and open communication, care and respect, and accountability (see ‘principles and commitments’ section for more details about these principles). 

UKHSA has a responsibility to ensure that the processes, systems and environment support and encourage research integrity and good practice. 

Ethics and regulations when conducting research at UKHSA  

Commitment 3: UKHSA recognises the importance of conducting scientific and research activities which are ethical and lawful. UKHSA is committed to ensure that its scientific and research activities are conducted following appropriate guidance and governance.

UKHSA’s Research governance framework outline the ethical principles, regulations and UKHSA processes and governance depending on the type of research conducted, including research that involves:

• human participants (including human tissues and or personal data)
• animals
• dangerous pathogens or toxins
• genetically modified organisms (GMO)
• use of ionising radiation (including radioactive substances)
• substances hazardous to health
• reagents, chemicals, biological agents or radiological materials

All those conducting scientific and research activities at, or for, UKHSA must ensure that adequate processes are in place so that all scientific and research activities are ethical and lawful by adhering to the relevant internal UKHSA’s policies and frameworks.

To support this, UKHSA’s research governance includes a Research ethics and governance group and an Animal welfare and ethical review body.  

Information management and data governance for scientific and research activities at UKHSA

Commitment 4: UKHSA recognises the importance of robust information management and data governance as fundamental to ensuring the integrity, quality and accountability of all UKHSA’s scientific and research activities. UKHSA is committed to ensure that appropriate principles and regulations are followed when collecting, assessing, using, sharing and transferring research and scientific data.

This includes:

• information management and data governance, in line with the requirements of the UK General data protection regulation (GDPR) and Data protection act 2018
• adequate use of data for research and scientific activities in accordance with the Data protection act 2018 and Caldicott principles, including in relation to consent, transparency and safeguards for processing personal data

Internal frameworks and guidance are available to support UKHSA staff in ensuring adequate and lawful use and management of data for research and scientific activities, including when sharing data or when processing personal data.

Use of artificial intelligence (AI) in UKHSA’s scientific and research activities

UKHSA recognises and endorses the AI playbook for the UK government which provides guidance on using AI safely, effectively and securely for civil servants and people working in government organisations.

To ensure the highest standards of rigour, all scientific and research activities conducted by, and for, UKHSA using AI must:

• adhere to the internal policies and guidance on safe, lawful, acceptable and responsible use of AI, including accountability principles – when using AI, the risk of error and its impact remain with the user, it does not transfer to the technology
• adhere to the principles of quality and accuracy of UKHSA’s scientific activities and research data described in the following section, including the principles for producing quality analysis and for quality assurance (QA)
• where AI is used as an algorithmic tool, or as part of an algorithmic tool, to support decision-making, its use should be publicly in line with the algorithmic transparency recording standard
• report the use of AI when conducting scientific and research activities, and be transparent on how it was used and the associated limitations
• clearly and transparently report the use of AI and associated limitations in corresponding publications and outputs

Quality and accuracy of UKHSA’s research findings and data analysis

Commitment 5: UKHSA recognises the importance of quality and accuracy of its research findings and data analysis, including when using AI. UKHSA is committed to ensure that 1) rigorous methods and best practices are followed to ensure quality of analysis, including proportionate quality assurance processes, and that 2) uncertainty, ambiguity and limitations are reported and communicated in a clear and intelligently transparent way.

Internal frameworks and guidance are available to support UKHSA staff in ensuring quality and accuracy of analytical projects, including use of statistical modelling and complex algorithms as algorithmic tool, and that adequate QA processes are applied.

Publicly available resources include:

• the Code of practice for statistics
• the Aqua book: guidance on producing quality analysis

In addition, the use of algorithmic tools (including application of statistical modelling and complex algorithms) to support decision-making should be publicly declared, in line with the algorithmic transparency recording standard.

Chapter 3. Independence of scientific and research activities at UKHSA

General principles

Commitment 6: UKHSA is committed to ensure that the way its scientific and research activities are conducted, analysed, synthesised and published remain independent and free from undue influence, including undue policy, political and commercial influences. UKHSA recognises the importance of scientific partnerships and patient and public involvement, which do not constitute undue influence when conducted following appropriate guidance and governance, and when transparently reported.

In accordance with these principles:

• the clearance process of UKHSA’s scientific and research activities should not interfere with transparency and timeliness of sharing of information and should be free from undue influence, including undue policy, political and commercial influences
• the initiation of UKHSA’s scientific and research activities must follow a robust, systematic process, predicated on scientific principles, informed by input from appropriate experts, but free from undue external influence, as outlined in UKHSA Research prioritisation framework
• scientific findings and outputs should not be suppressed, delayed, or altered by inappropriate internal or external influence

Scientific partnerships with external stakeholders

Scientific partnerships with academia, industry and other public sector organisations are an important part of UKHSA’s scientific and research activities.

The UKHSA Commercial strategy outlines the importance of scientific partnerships to strengthen UKHSA scientific capabilities and identify new opportunities for research, innovation and service improvement. It also emphasises that such partnerships should have commercial guardrails and governance processes in place to protect against conflicts of interest and breach of procurement regulations.

UKHSA collaboration agreements follow the Brunswick agreements for collaborations between publicly funded research organisations, or the Lambert agreements for collaborations between publicly funded research organisations and commercial entities.

When working with external partners, all those involved in scientific and research activities conducted at, or for, UKHSA must ensure that information on funding sources and potential conflict of interest are transparently reported in all scientific outputs.

Internal frameworks and guidance are available to support UKHSA staff when collaborating with external partners, including commercial entities and publicly funded research organisations.

Patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE)

UKHSA recognises the importance of user-led research and is committed to involving patients, the public and communities in its scientific and research activities.

When conducted in line with best practice, PPIE does not impact on the independence of research activities and is not considered as undue influence.

Internal frameworks and guidance are available to support UKHSA staff to embed PPIE in scientific and research activities.

Generating external income when working at UKHSA

Income generation through collaboration with external partners is an important activity to enable UKHSA to deliver its priorities.

An internal UKHSA Income generation framework outlining the processes to follow for external income generation is available to support UKHSA staff and ensure UKHSA avoids uncontrolled negative financial or legal risks and consequence.

Chapter 4. Publication and dissemination of UKHSA’s scientific outputs

General principles

Commitment 7: UKHSA is committed to open science, transparency and timely publication and dissemination of knowledge and evidence.

All publication and dissemination of UKHSA’s scientific and research activities must follow the principles of integrity and independence outlined in this framework, including:

• timely clearance process for all scientific outputs at senior level (senior civil servant – deputy director or above)
• the sharing of scientific activities and findings through appropriate routes, including in peer-reviewed journals or on GOV.UK
• timely publication of scientific outputs (although there may be some exceptions, such as during pre-election periods of sensitivity)
• decisions not to publish scientific outputs should be the exception and justified by a strong rationale
• scientific outputs should be freely available to all, following open science principles
• all UKHSA’s scientific outputs should meet required standards and be quality-assured
• authorship and contributions should be fairly acknowledged
• if an error is found that degrades the value of the published findings, the lead author should discuss the matter with their line manager and consider notifying the co-authors and publishing a correction; where the findings are found to be in serious doubt, a retraction should be published

The clearance and publication process for UKHSA’s scientific outputs should be separated from the clearance and publication process for UKHSA’s non-scientific outputs, such as guidance or policy documents.

Before publishing their work, UKHSA staff are advised to consider intellectual property (IP).

Publication on GOV.UK

All documents published on GOV.UK must follow standard UKHSA’s processes for publishing on GOV.UK, including accessibility requirements.

Additional requirements for UKHSA’s scientific outputs published on GOV.UK include following the quality assurance process, such as internal peer-review, in line with UKHSA’s Publication standard.

Publication in peer-reviewed journals

All scientific articles submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals that include authors with an affiliation to UKHSA must go through UKHSA’s approval and notification process before submission. All publications with UKHSA authors should follow this process, independently of whether the lead author or contact author is affiliated to UKHSA.

When publishing in peer-reviewed journals, open science principles should be applied.

When submitting a manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal, UKHSA authors can decide to upload their manuscript to preprint servers, in line with the specific journal guidelines and following UKHSA’s approval and notification processes.

Other types of publication outputs

Similar principles apply to publication outputs other than those published in peer-reviewed publication or on GOV.UK, such as study protocol or conference abstract. This includes following UKHSA’s approval and notification process before submission.

Scientific communication

All scientific communications (oral presentations or posters) in any type of event (such as conferences and congresses) should be notified through UKHSA’s approval and notification process.

When delivering scientific communication, regardless of the type of event, the principles of scientific integrity and independence outlined in this framework must be adhered to.

Communication in media (traditional and social media)

When communicating UKHSA’s science and research in the media, whether traditional or social media, the integrity and independence principles outlined in this framework must be maintained, including ensuring the accuracy of the communication of the science.

There are a number of ways in which UKHSA’s science and research may be communicated in the media, including:

• when an output to be published by UKHSA is expected to attract media interest, the lead author should notify the press office in advance of publication for adequate planning to be carried out
• when the UKHSA communication team decide to run a campaign

Whilst the UKHSA communication team will usually draft the corresponding text, it is the responsibility of the UKHSA lead author (or lead scientist) to ensure that the scientific findings are clearly and accurately communicated.

Social media must be used in line with the Civil Service code and corresponding internal policy and guidance.

Evaluation

Annual audits will take place to ensure UKHSA’s scientific and research activities and outputs adhere to the principles set out in this framework.

This framework will be reviewed after one year, and every 2 years after that. 

The Deputy Director of Research, Evidence and Knowledge is responsible for this framework.

Annexe A. Definitions

Algorithmic tool - a product, application, or device that supports or solves a specific problem using complex algorithms. The term covers different applications of artificial intelligence (AI), statistical modelling and complex algorithms. An algorithmic tool might often incorporate a number of different component models integrated as part of a broader digital tool (definition from Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard - guidance for public sector bodies).

Patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) - the collaboration between researchers, patients and the public and aims to promote collaborative research which is carried out ‘with’ the public and patients rather than ‘for’ them.

Primary research - individual studies where researchers generate and analyse their own data (definition from the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology; POST).

Quality assurance (QA) - all the activities carried out to ensure that the outcome of scientific and research activities is fit for its intended purpose. The level of QA needed should be proportionate to the potential risk which would result from the work being incorrect.

Research activities - scientific activities that are designed and conducted with the intention to generate new knowledge, in line with Frascati manual’s definition. The Concordat to support research integrity of the UK Committee on research integrity (UKCORI) uses the definition of the Research excellence framework which defined research as ‘a process of investigation leading to new insights, effectively shared…’ (see Guidance to implement the Concordat to Support Research Integrity within government) which is compatible with the Frascati definition.

Scientific operational services - scientific activities which are based on scientific methods but do not generally aim to generate new knowledge.

Secondary research - the synthesis and/or reanalysis of primary research data (definition from the POST).