Research Integrity, Assurance & Security

The University of Tennessee nurtures a strong culture of research integrity and provides robust support to ensure that research is conducted responsibly, ethically, and safely. Our Research Integrity, Assurance, and Security (RIAS) team and partner offices and committees across UT provide resources and guidance that help researchers meet the highest ethical standards in their work.

A technician peers through a server rack in the ISAAC data center at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Research integrity

We all have a responsibility to act ethically to protect the integrity of research, scholarship, and creative activities conducted at UT, and to meet high standards of public trust in everything we do.

Human & animal protections

UT protects the rights and welfare of human participants and ensures the ethical treatment of animals in all our research endeavors. If you are considering participating in a UT research program, please visit this page to learn more.

Research security

UT has a robust research security plan, complemented by policies, procedures, and programming that collectively protect the security of our research enterprise and our national interests.

Safety

Partner offices across UT help protect the physical and psychological safety of everyone in our campus community.

Designated officials

Designated officials are appointed positions critical to ensuring the integrity of the research enterprise. These roles are mandated by United States law, UT policy, or both. The designated official roles below are managed by RIAS on behalf of the UT research community.