New national guidance published on academic integrity roles, responsibilities, and contributions

The National Academic Integrity Network has published new Guidelines on Academic Integrity Roles, Responsibilities and Contributions. The guidelines provide practical support for further and higher education and training providers by outlining how academic integrity can be promoted through clearly defined roles, responsibilities and contributions.

The guidelines emphasise the importance of academic integrity in safeguarding the quality, credibility and trustworthiness of qualifications, while supporting a strong culture of teaching, learning and assessment. They outline a range of academic integrity roles and responsibilities across organisations, recognising that institutions may adopt different approaches depending on their context, needs and resources. 

Commenting on the publication Dr Mary-Claire Kennedy, Chair of NAIN, said: 

“Academic integrity is fundamental to maintaining confidence in the quality and credibility of education and training. These guidelines recognise that supporting academic integrity is a shared responsibility that extends across institutions and functions."

She also added: 

“These guidelines are the result of extensive engagement and collaboration across the National Academic Integrity Network. By providing practical guidance on roles and responsibilities, we hope to support organisations in strengthening their approaches and fostering a culture of integrity throughout teaching, learning and assessment."

Designed for academic integrity practitioners, organisational leaders, quality assurance professionals, educators, policy developers and others involved in supporting academic integrity, the guidance aims to assist organisations in strengthening existing arrangements and, where appropriate, establishing new academic integrity roles. 

Key themes include education and engagement, leadership and governance, and research and innovation, reflecting a whole-organisation approach to promoting academic integrity. 

Developed through extensive consultation with NAIN members using a consensus-based methodology, the guidelines support the objectives of the NAIN Strategy 2025–2028 and aim to promote a more consistent and coherent approach to academic integrity across Ireland’s further and higher education and training sector.