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Academic Integrity

QAA works with a community of experts in academic integrity from across the UK. The Academic Integrity Advisory Group includes:

Members


  • Alex Bols (GuildHE)
  • Helen Butcher (University of Glasgow)
  • Charlotte Corrish (Office of the Independent Adjudicator)
  • Dr Robin Crockett (University of Northampton)
  • Professor Sandie Dann (Loughborough University)
  • Sally Dixon (Education Partnership North East)
  • Professor Michael Draper (Swansea University) 
  • Richard Garrett (Ofqual)
  • Dr Irene Glendinning (Coventry University)
  • Dr Thomas Lancaster (Imperial College London)
  • Stephanie Lomas (University of Central Lancashire)
  • Chrystalle Margallo (QAA Student Strategic Advisory Committee)
  • Professor Tim McIntyre-Bhatty (Bournemouth University)
  • Dr Mike Reddy (University of South Wales)
  • Gill Rowell (Turnitin) 
  • Jayne Rowley (Jisc) 
  • Helen Smallbone (Edgehill University)
  • Dr Charlotte Snelling (Universities UK)
  • Lord Storey (House of Lords)

Observers


  • Department for Education
  • Department for the Economy
  • Higher Education Funding Council for Wales
  • Scottish Government Representative
  • Scottish Funding Council
  • Office for Students
  • Welsh Government Representative
QAA


  • Simon Bullock (Quality and Standards Specialist)
  • Gareth Crossman (Head of Policy and Public Affairs) 
  • Dr Andy Smith (Quality and Standards Manager)


Work Programmes

The Academic Integrity Advisory Group is engaged in a number of different work streams to help protect academic integrity, including:


LOBBYING FOR LEGAL SANCTION AGAINST ESSAY MILL COMPANIES

The Academic Integrity Advisory Group has lobbied UK Governments on the introduction of legislation to ban the provision and advertising of academic cheating services since its formation. Academic Integrity Advisory Group member Lord Storey has tabled a number of amendments and Private Members Bills in the House of Lords on this topic since 2017 and the Group also worked with Chris Skidmore MP to develop a Private Members’ Bill on the topic in 2021. In October 2021, the Westminster Government confirmed that it would introduce legislation banning essay mills in England as part of the Skills & Post-16 Education Bill. The Group will work with the Department for Education in England in the implementation of this legislation, and with the respective Governments in the devolved nations to ensure this law can be applied across the UK.

THE ACADEMIC INTEGRITY CHARTER

QAA, with the support of the Academic Integrity Advisory Group, has developed the Academic Integrity Charter. It is intended to provide a baseline position upon which UK providers can build their own policies and practices to ensure that every student’s qualification is genuine, verifiable and respected. The Charter was launched on 21 October 2020 and saw 176 institutions and bodies sign up in the first year.

producing guidance for the sector

The Academic Integrity Advisory Group forms working groups in reaction to priority academic integrity threats with the intention of producing guidance for the sector. Most recently, a working group on cyber security threats was formed, resulting in the publication of QAA and Jisc’s Guidance on Emerging Cyber Security Threats to the Integrity of UK Teaching and Learning. A working group has also been set up to explore the parameters under which Higher Education providers may exchange information about academic misconduct, with the intention of producing sector guidance.