Faculty-Research Integrity Advisors (F-RIAs) are senior academic staff members appointed by their Faculty Dean and trained in research ethics and integrity. They act as the first point of contact for staff, students, and researchers with questions or concerns about research integrity. F-RIAs provide confidential advice, help staff and students understand their options, receive and log complaints, and may serve on the Preliminary Informal Enquiry (PIE) Committee. Their role is to make sure concerns are taken seriously, to protect both complainants and respondents from unfair treatment, and to ensure that UCT’s policies on research integrity are applied fairly and consistently within each faculty.

Read about the processes for addressing allegations of research misconduct.

Their role

• Provide confidential advice to staff, students, and researchers on integrity matters.
• Receive and log complaints of possible research misconduct.
• Conduct or participate in Preliminary Informal Enquiries (PIEs).
• Serve as members of the PIE Committee, which decides whether complaints should escalate to the Special Investigation Committee (SIC).
• Ensure that potentially valid concerns are not dismissed or minimised.
• Protect complainants and respondents from unfair treatment during the process.