Ethical Framework

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Ethical Framework

The University's Vision

The University of East London has been pioneering futures since 1898: from the 2nd Industrial Revolution through to where we are now, the 4th. We are a careers-led university, dedicated to supporting our students to develop the skills, emotional intelligence and creativity needed to thrive in a constantly changing world. 

Since the 2018-19 academic year the University of East London has been developing and starting to implement a new 10-year strategy, Vision 2028, to transform our curriculum, pedagogy, research impact and partnerships to make a positive difference to student, graduate and community success. Our ambitious but achievable goal is to become the leading careers-focused, enterprising university in the UK, one which both prepares our students for the jobs of the future and provides the innovation to drive that future sustainably and inclusively.

The University's Mission

We accelerate inclusive talent by realising potential wherever and whenever it is found.

We advance knowledge and innovation to help people and planet.

The University's Core Values

Passion, Inclusion, Courage

The University's Core Ethical Principles

In the endeavour to achieve its vision, the University is determined to honour a set of core values based upon the fundamental ethical principles of:

  • Respect for the innate humanity, uniqueness, dignity and lifestyle of others in their identity and their ideas
  • Freedom of speech, academic freedom, thought, and intellectual inquiry within the law
  • Enabling all staff and students to maximise their full potential
  • Commitment to support equity, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of work
  • Acting responsibly in our approach to the environment, our social responsibilities and on sustainable development as underpinned by the European Convention on Human Rights
  • Behaviour and conduct in line with the Nolan Principles of Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty and Leadership.

The University's Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

Our strategy sets out a framework to deliver an environment and culture that is truly inclusive where the University meets its Public Sector Equality Duty and:

  • all individuals have equality of opportunity to succeed;
  • the diversity of the UEL community, both locally and globally, is valued, celebrated and staff and students are supported to be the best they can be;
  • a sense of belonging to the UEL community is actively enhanced through promotion of strong relationships that lead to a sense of mutual respect, value and dignity.

Activities

Our strategy supports the Vision, Mission and Values of the University through the pursuit of the following activities: 

  • Future Graduate 

Participation, progression, experience and successful attainment of life-changing, life-long education and training 

  • Future Professional 

To address industry and community skills gaps. Increasing access to and acceleration of graduate – level employment 

  • Future Life 

To increase the economic, social and cultural impact (reach and value) of our activities to the communities we serve 

  • Sustainability 

To increase financial, physical, digital, environmental and human resilience, maximising value, reducing waste and incentivising behaviour

  • Education & Experience 

Learning Futures: delivering the future of learning and work today

  • Careers & Enterprise 

Building a global education, skills and innovation eco-system

  • Impact & Innovation 

Advancing knowledge and innovation to help people and planet

  • Sustainable Growth & Diversification 

Developing operational competencies and business process optimisation

  • Community 

University of East London students and staff making a real difference to people’s lives all over the world while enriching their own learning experience

  • Partnerships 

Working closely with education institutions nationally and internationally to offer students progression routes and the opportunity to study UEL qualifications at other institutions

  • Self-determination

Determining our own future and being proactive in improving our professional environment

Seeking in all our endeavours to value pluralism and inclusivity, actively assisting the management of work/life balance of our employees and to be universally transparent in our decision-making.

Recognising that respect for the ideas of others requires that ideas be expressed and presented in an intellectually responsible manner and that intellectual discourse concerns itself solely with the ideas and not the person expressing them.

Core Standards of Professional Conduct

The University is committed to highest standards of professional conduct, as determined by the Nolan Principles of:

  • Selflessness
  • Integrity
  • Objectivity
  • Accountability
  • Openness
  • Honesty
  • Leadership.

Application

These core principles, values and standards should be addressed in all circumstances and in all activities of the University.

These are the standards of ethical behaviour adopted by the Board of Governors, Academic Board and UEB through inter alia agreeing the governance principles of the University which all members of the University are expected to follow. Failure to follow the various codes referred to in this framework will not be overlooked and the Committee may advise on the course of action that should be taken against any individual(s) who may be in breach of these.

The University and its governing body are committed to entering into, and maintaining, ethical practice with all staff, students, and all other stakeholders on a reciprocal basis.

All members of the University bear a responsibility to follow the Ethical Framework. Where issues are not explicitly expressed in the Framework, members should use it as a guide and act accordingly. This Framework should inform the drafting and implementation of all University codes.

The Framework was produced by the Ethics Advisory Committee and all constituencies of the University were consulted during the process. The University is committed to engaging in regular reviews of the Framework to ensure that it maintains the highest standards in all its activities and relationships, subject to annual review.

From Policy To Practice

In all relationships the University, its members and stakeholders will:

  • treat people fairly and with respect
  • act with tolerance towards cultural, racial, ideological, gender, sexuality and religious differences
  • create a safe and secure working environment for students and staff
  • ensure confidentiality of personal information and ensure that records are appropriately maintained and up-to-date
  • not accept or encourage inducements
  • strive for environmentally friendly policies
  • support intellectual and academic freedom
  • respect the intellectual property rights of others
  • strive to act positively and to promote basic human rights in relation to people, businesses and organisations

In all relationships the University, its members will:

  • respond to complaints professionally and seriously
  • fulfil its responsibilities to all staff, students, partners, clients and local communities    
  • strive to seek funding from ethically suitable sources
  • undertake ethical research that seeks to enhance the human condition

In all relationships the University will:

  • communicate its policies to all staff, students, partners, clients and local communities, where appropriate
  • facilitate representation of trade union members by their unions    
  • exert appropriate financial control

Employees

The University values and respects its staff. It seeks to meet the needs of employees at all times.

The University will:

  • provide clear and fair terms of employment
  • provide a clear and transparent remuneration and reward policy, which is fair, equitable and suitable across the University
  • ensure fair and equal opportunities for all staff
  • provide a clean and safe environment for all staff to carry out their duties
  • provide assistance and respect in regard to disability
  • respect the right of free speech and academic freedom
  • not tolerate harassment or intimidating behaviour towards any member of the University
  • provide regular open, honest and clear feedback to staff on their performance and encourage staff to develop skills for personal and professional development

Students

The University values and respects its students regarding them as partners in the learning environment. It seeks to meet the needs of students at all times.

The University will:

  • provide inclusive quality teaching and learning opportunities that will provide inclusive teaching and access through inclusive and accessible curricula and pedagogies
  • provide fair, transparent, anonymous and timely assessment where appropriate
  • provide appropriate resources to enable learning
  • provide assistance and respect in regard to disability
  • respect the right of free speech and academic freedom
  • provide students with fair and appropriate support, both in terms of academic and personal welfare

Stakeholders

The University values and respects its stakeholders. It seeks to meet the needs of these groups.

The University will:

  • ensure that all public material is appropriately maintained and accurate
  • seek to provide standards of agreed service at all times
  • respect the right of free speech and academic freedom
  • ensure that reports, training and other services provided are of high quality

Local communities

The University values and respects its local communities. It seeks to meet the needs of these communities.

The University will:

  • strive to be sensitive to community needs
  • demonstrate sensitivity to conflict between the University and local communities, and between students and local communities
  • embed itself in local initiatives where appropriate
  • encourage local students to apply to the University
  • strive to protect, and enhance the local environment

The University advocates ethical working practice and requires no less of its members and those associated with its activities.

UEL Academic Partnerships Ethics Statement

The University values and respects its Academic Partners. It seeks to meet the needs of these groups.

  • Respect for the innate humanity, uniqueness, dignity and lifestyle of others in their identity and their ideas
  • Freedom of speech, thought, and intellectual inquiry
  • Enabling all staff and students to maximise their full potential
  • Acting responsibly in our approach to the environment, our social responsibilities and on sustainable development

as underpinned by the European Convention on Human Rights.

In relation to partnerships our commitment aims at building an ethical relationship as appropriate be it on global, local, commercial, academic, governmental, civic, educational, professional basis. The nature of the relationship may necessitate emphasis being placed on certain values and principles but this should inform partners what they can expect when working with UEL. The central tenet of the Academic Partnerships Ethics Statement is based on the following:

  • UEL is committed to operating ethically across all its activities to safeguard its reputation and that of the Higher Education Sector.
  • At UEL we are committed to working together to build a community which values diversity in both our staff and student populations, and is representative and inclusive, enabling all to progress and thrive.
  • We are committed to freedom of speech, diversity of thought, and intellectual inquiry enabling all staff and students to maximise their potential.
  • We are committed to acting responsibly in our approach to the environment, our social responsibilities and on sustainable development
  • The University and its governing body are committed to entering into, and maintaining, ethical practice with all stakeholders on a reciprocal basis.
  • We expect our partner institutions to honour the letter and spirit of these aspirations, and take steps to demonstrate this in practice.
  • We will be respectful of local and cultural differences of approach in interactions with all our partners, nationally and internationally.

There is an expectation that any partnership which might have ethical connotations should be referred to the committee for advice.

Policies and procedures

Our policies and procedures provide a clear understanding of what we expect from staff, students, collaborators, agents and contractors when on University business. The key policies and procedures that underpin these values and principles and support the university’s ethical framework are set out under the headings below:

Governance and Leadership

  • The Board’s Primary Responsibilities
  • Declarations of Interest, Gifts and Hospitality Policy
  • Procurement Policy
  • Modern Slavery Statement
  • Donation acceptance, disbursement and ethical fundraising policy
  • Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblowing) Policy

Donations and gifts

The University’s Gift Acceptance Policy and Ethical Fundraising Practice.

Finance Policies

  • Financial Regulations
  • The Counter Fraud Policy and Response Plan
  • Anti-Bribery Policy
  • Anti-Money Laundering Policy and Procedures
  • Expenses Policy
  • The Treasury Management and Ethical Investment policy
  • Purchasing and procurement policies.

Data Protection and Freedom of Information

  • Freedom of Information Policy
  • Data Protection Policy
  • Privacy Notices

Freedom of Speech

  • Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech
  • External Speakers Policy and Procedure

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy

Sustainability

  • Sustainability Policies
  • Environmental Policy

Staff and Student Policies

  • Health and Safety Policy
  • Harassment and Bullying Policy
  • Personal Relationship Policy
  • Student Complaints Procedure
  • Staff Grievance Policy
  • Student Disciplinary Procedure
  • Safeguarding Policy
  • Recruitment and Selection Policy
  • Staff Development Review
  • Admissions Policy

Research

The University provides a comprehensive support structure for research and knowledge exchange through the Office for Postgraduates, Research and Engagement. This professional services team provides support for public and community engagement, research ethics, integrity and compliance, the development and monitoring of bids for research funding and
research excellence.

The Office for Postgraduates, Research and Engagement team works in tandem with a network of roles within our academic schools, our Directors of Impact and Innovation, REF Unit of Assessment Coordinators and annual review panel members as part of a wider impact and engagement eco-system incorporating our institutes, centres and groups.

The University is a signatory to the UKRI Concordat to Support Research Integrity and issues an annual statement to confirm inter alia how the following matters are carried out at the University:

  • The workings of the University Research Ethics Sub-Committee (URES) and subsidiary School Research Ethics Committees (SRECs);
  • The training and external engagement of researchers;
  • The processes in place for Research Misconduct including Codes of Practice for Research and Research Ethics, procedures for the Investigation of Misconduct in Research for both staff and students and the Student Code of Conduct;
  • Details of how any investigations of Research Misconduct are conducted.

Business Arrangements

The University has a number of policies which governs how it conducts business operations which include:

  • The Register of Interests
  • The Counter Fraud Policy and Response Plan
  • The Treasury Management and Ethical Investment policy
  • Purchasing and procurement policies.

Culture and leadership

The University strives to conduct all business in an ethical manner, underpinned by a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion during its decision-making processes. Staff and students are expected to behave in an ethical fashion and in accordance with the procedures and processes set out in this Framework. The University expects that its leaders will behave in accordance with this framework too and that we will continue to cultivate an environment of openness, transparency and integrity where people feel welcome, respected and supported which is in clear accord with the University’s Vision 2028.

Summary

This statement, along with the individual and collective commitment of the University community, provides assurance that the University strives to behave ethically across its activities.

The Ethical Framework will be publicised within the University to staff and on the University website and drawn to the attention of new employees and new governors. Breaches of procedures which form part of the Ethical Framework may result in disciplinary action.

The component policies and procedures identified within the Framework are subject to review periodically by the bodies and individuals responsible for oversight of them. Further consideration is to be given as these are reviewed to the harmonisation and crossreferencing of policies which come within the Ethical Framework.

University Executive Board and the Ethics Advisory Committee will formally review the operation of the Ethical Framework annually and provide a report on the outcome of each review to the Board of Governors.

Version Control

Date of ApprovalResponsible OfficerReview Date
V1 25 May 2021University SecretaryMay 2022
V2 25 Oct 2021University SecretaryOct 2025
V3 25 Nov 2025University SecretaryOct 2028