• Section 1 - Purpose
• Section 2 - Scope
• Section 3 - Principles
• Section 4 - Responsibilities
• Section 5 - Procedure
• Section 6 - Definitions

Section 1 - Purpose

(1) This Policy:

1. sets out the values, principles and responsibilities for supporting, promoting and defending academic integrity across all learning, teaching and research activities at the University of Canberra (the University)
2. supports the University in: 
   1. maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity;
   2. ensuring staff and students are aware of the importance of creating, and submitting for assessment, their own original work, and acknowledging the work of others and third parties; 
   3. promoting and supporting academic integrity through education and the University’s culture; 
   4. administering processes that prevent and mitigate risks to academic integrity and evolve in response to emerging challenges; and 
   5. achieving compliance with: 
      1. the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021;
      2. the principles of responsible research conduct, and responsibilities of institutions and researchers as described in the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018 and the University’s Responsible Conduct of Research Policy; and
      3. the academic integrity of courses as required by the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 (National Code 2018).

Section 2 - Scope

(2) This Policy applies to:

1. assessment submissions;
2. work and activities undertaken as preparation for an assessment;
3. activities required to be undertaken as part of a unit in a course of study that may not be assessed, such as formative assessments, hurdle tasks or pre-placement activities;
4. work submitted for publication; and
5. works involving the creation and/or use of any research data materials or research findings.

(3) This Policy applies to:

1. all staff and students of the University, including students studying or undertaking research with partner institutions, and staff employed at partner institutions who provide academic, research or support services to the University’s students;
2. students or staff on any form of leave, including while on course suspension;
3. any person participating in any award or non-award learning activities, units, courses, or microcredentials that include assessment, whether formative or summative;and
4. any person or organisation employed, engaged or contracted to perform academic or research work for the University.

(4) While this Policy discusses research integrity as a type of academic integrity, the Responsible Conduct of Research Policy states the University’s position on research integrity and practices, standards, and accountabilities for the responsible conduct of research.

Section 3 - Principles

Academic Integrity Statements

(5) The University is committed to:

1. academic excellence and ensuring the integrity of its qualifications and research;
2. fostering an organisational culture of academic and research integrity supported by communication, education and support, prevention, and detection;
3. treating breaches of academic and research integrity seriously, ensuring timely investigation of allegations of breaches and applying appropriate penalties where a breach is confirmed; and
4. maintaining an ethical, collaborative and innovative environment that enables students and staff to learn, teach, research, and develop ideas, solutions and creative works while respecting and acknowledging the work of others.

Academic Integrity Values 

(6) Staff and students are expected to apply the University’s academic integrity values to all their learning, teaching, assessment, and research activities.

(7) The University’s values for academic and research integrity are: 

1. Honesty: Work of other persons and input from any source, regardless of format, mode or method of generation, are explicitly and appropriately acknowledged and credited in all learning, teaching, assessment and research activities. 
2. Trust: Staff and students work in a trusted partnership underpinned by clear, consistent and realistic expectations for assessment and mutual understanding in all learning, teaching, assessment and research activities.
3. Fairness: Rules, policies and procedures are applied consistently in all learning, teaching, assessment and research activities.
4. Respect: Staff and students value the engaged and participatory nature of learning and foster a culture of respect for academic and research integrity.
5. Responsibility: Staff and students actively take responsibility for developing, modelling, and enhancing the University’s culture of academic and research integrity in all learning, teaching, assessment and research activities.
6. Courage: Staff and students commit to protecting the quality of the University’s qualifications by upholding the principles of academic and research integrity, even in challenging circumstances.

(8) The University’s  values for academic and research integrity are supported by the University’s Charter of Conduct and Values and the Student Charter.

Academic Integrity Principles 

(9) The University will: 

1. be responsible for fostering and contributing to a culture that supports academic and research integrity;
2. take an educative approach to academic and research integrity;
3. support teaching, learning, assessment and research activities that imbed principles of academic and research integrity;
4. investigate alleged academic integrity breaches by students in accordance with the University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023 (Student Conduct Rules);
5. investigate alleged breaches of academic integrity by staff in accordance with the University’s Enterprise Agreement;
6. investigate breaches of the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018 in accordance with the Responsible Conduct of Research Policy;
7. communicate to staff and students the types of methods used to detect breaches of academic integrity, including breaches of the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018;
8. maintain the confidentiality of anyone involved in alleged breaches of academic or research integrity, including those who report suspected breaches, and those accused of alleged breaches, subject to any legal requirements for disclosure of information;
9. ensure that anyone who raises or responds to allegations of breaches of academic or research integrity is not subject to discrimination or victimisation;
10. manage allegations of suspected breaches of academic integrity in accordance with the principles of procedural fairness set out in the Student Conduct Rules (for students) and the University’s Enterprise Agreement (for staff); and
11. manage allegations of suspected breaches of research integrity in accordance with the Procedures for Dealing with Complaints about Breaches of the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018.

(10) University staff will:

1. conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the values for academic and research integrity in all learning, teaching, assessment and research activities;
2. educate students about the application of academic and research integrity to assessment and assessment activities;
3. design curriculum and assessments to promote student adherence to  principles of academic and research integrity;
4. design and undertake teaching, research, and assessment activities in accordance with the values for academic and research integrity;
5. act upon potential breaches of academic integrity in accordance with the University’s Enterprise Agreement (for staff) and Student Conduct Rules (for students); and
6. act upon potential breaches of research integrity in accordance with the requirements of the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018.

(11) Students will:

1. conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the values of academic and research integrity in all learning, assessment and research activities;
2. apply the values that support academic and research integrity to their academic work;
3. undertake any required learning activities to develop and apply their understanding of academic and research integrity;
4. not engage in behaviours defined as academic or research misconduct or serious misconduct as defined in the Student Conduct Rules;
5. conduct learning, assessment and research activities in accordance with the relevant codes of conduct and/or standards; and
6. provide input into engagement and promotion strategies for academic and research integrity.

Breaches of Academic Integrity - Students

(12) Breaches of academic integrity by students that constitute academic misconduct or serious misconduct are listed in the Student Conduct Rules as amended from time to time.

(13) The process for investigating an allegation of academic misconduct by a student is described in the Student Conduct Rules as amended from time to time.

(14) Alleged misconduct by a student may breach more than one rule or policy. In such a case, the University will facilitate one investigation that will consider all allegations simultaneously.

(15) Any person who considers that a student may have engaged in academic misconduct may draw the matter to the attention of an Authorised Person or Prescribed Authority as set out in the Student Conduct Rules.

(16) Students may report potential breaches of academic integrity in accordance with the University’s Enterprise Agreement (for staff) and Student Conduct Rules (for students).

Breaches of Academic Integrity - Staff

(17) Breaches of academic integrity by staff constitute a breach of the Charter of Conduct and Values. Alleged breaches of the Charter will be investigated in accordance with the relevant provisions of the University’s Enterprise Agreement.

(18) Alleged misconduct by a staff member may breach more than one rule or policy. In such a case, the University will conduct one investigation that will consider all breaches simultaneously.

(19) Any person who considers that a staff member may have engaged in academic misconduct or serious misconduct may draw the matter to the attention of the Chief People Officer, as set out in the University’s Enterprise Agreement.

Breaches of Research Integrity – Staff and Students

(20) Breaches of the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018 by staff and students will be investigated in accordance with the Procedures for Dealing with Complaints about Breaches of the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018.

(21) Any person who considers that a staff member or a student may have breached the Responsible Conduct of Research Policy must draw the matter to the attention of the Designated Officer in accordance with the Procedures for Dealing with Complaints about Breaches of the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018.

Section 4 - Responsibilities

Section 5 - Procedure

(22) Refer to Academic Integrity Procedure.

Section 6 - Definitions