Ethics and compliance - Research and Innovation - Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU is committed to the responsible conduct of research and compliance and holds its researchers to the highest ethical standards.

VCU partners with researchers to create a culture of compliance that will protect the University and its community by promoting ethical research practices that comply with all relevant laws, regulations, VCU’s policies, and core values.

The VCU code of conduct applies to all activities at or on behalf of VCU, including all VCU research, regardless of research activity, sponsorship type, or research location.

Research integrity

Research compliance

Research ethics

Whistleblower protections

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Research must adhere to specialized ethical and procedural obligations supporting transparency, reproducibility, and public trust.

VCU provides a framework for ensuring the responsible and ethical conduct of research in the form of:

required research-specific disclosures
training
ethics boards
review procedures
reporting and registration requirements

Research is knowledge creation, thus fundamental to the VCU mission. Regardless of their role, every RAM is encouraged to participate in research training and education. We’re here to answer questions on any aspect of research ethics and/or compliance.