Quality and integrity

Onderzoekers in lab bij Life Sciences

Utrecht University stands for professional and high-quality academic work and ethically responsible research and teaching.

The university is committed to upholding academic integrity, and it also strives to make ethically responsible choices in its research, which includes observing a sound animal testing policy.

Quality

The quality of the research at Utrecht University is subject to the most stringent international standards. Every six years all research institutes at Utrecht University are assessed on the basis of the Standard Evaluation Protocol for Public Research Organisations (SEP). This protocol was drawn up by the KNAW, NWO and VSNU.

Integrity

Everyone involved in teaching and research at Utrecht University bears a personal responsibility for maintaining academic integrity. To this end, the general principles of professional academic practice must be observed at all times.

Utrecht University adheres to the rules set out in the Netherlands Code of Conduct for Research Integrity (2018). The important principles set out in this code of conduct are honesty, scrupulousness, transparency, independance and responsibility.

Ancillary activities

Utrecht University attaches great importance to transparency regarding ancillary activities and has tightened its monitoring of this in recent years.

Animal testing

Utrecht University plays a leading role in the Netherlands in terms of providing alternatives for animal testing. Increasingly, research can be carried out using reduced numbers of animals, or no animals at all. The university also endorses the Animal Testing Transparency Code, thus meeting society's call for more transparency concerning the use of animals in scientific research.