Universities are required to have policies and processes in place for all staff or students working on sensitive or extremism-related research (including learning and teaching activities that include an element of research or academic enquiry). This policy seeks to balance academic freedom, and the facilitation of appropriate research, with the need to have proportionate processes and safeguards in place.
Researchers conducting security-sensitive or extremism-related research should complete the declaration available within the University’s online ethics system, LEON. The process is not an application for approval, but a declaration that is intended to provide protection against potential misinterpretation of a researcher’s activity. The policy sets out the scope of activities that may be considered security sensitive and makes recommendations regarding the storage and dissemination of data.
Additionally, activities involving Military Applications or using Dual Use Technologies which are controlled under the Export Control regime are subject to a distinct ethics review process. Further information on the review process.
For questions relating to Research Ethics and Integrity please email researchpolicy@lboro.ac.uk.