The Office of Research Integrity and Security (ORIS) supports Augusta University’s mission of advancing knowledge through responsible, ethical, and secure research practices. The office works collaboratively with researchers, administrators, and institutional leadership to ensure that research activities are conducted in accordance with applicable regulations, institutional policies, and the highest standards of research integrity.
ORIS promotes transparency, accountability, and compliance across the research enterprise while assisting investigators and research staff in navigating regulatory requirements and institutional processes.
Promote a culture of ethics, integrity, transparency, safety, and compliance across Augusta University’s research enterprise.
Provide guidance, education, oversight, and support to help investigators, research staff, administrators, and institutional stakeholders navigate regulatory, ethical, security, and institutional requirements.
Support responsible conduct of research and safeguard the integrity of the research record through education, accountability, and ethical research practices.
Oversee research-related disclosure, transparency, and security processes, including conflicts of interest, international travel, export control compliance, and research security.
Conduct research compliance monitoring and auditing activities and support institutional processes for reviewing and addressing research misconduct concerns.
The office oversees institutional disclosure programs designed to identify, review, and manage potential conflicts that may affect research, professional responsibilities, or institutional interests. This program supports annual conflict of interest disclosures and related compliance requirements to promote transparency and accountability.
Export control regulations govern the transfer of certain technologies, equipment, data, and services to foreign persons and countries. The office provides guidance and oversight to help researchers comply with federal export control laws while supporting international research and collaboration activities.
Research security promotes transparency and protects the research enterprise from undue foreign influence, inappropriate external interference, and other emerging risks. The office provides guidance on federal research security requirements, international collaborations, foreign affiliations, and other matters that may affect the security and integrity of research activities.
International travel may require additional review when it involves university business, research activities, AU funding, grant funding, externally sponsored travel, AU-owned devices, university system access, or travel to a country of concern. The Office of Research Integrity and Security helps travelers identify required steps before departure, including travel registration, technology review, disclosure requirements, and research security considerations.
Responsible Conduct of Research
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) promotes ethical research practices and helps investigators, trainees, and research staff understand their professional responsibilities in conducting and reporting research. RCR education supports a culture of integrity, accountability, and excellence throughout the research enterprise.
Research misconduct involves fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, reviewing, or reporting research. The office supports institutional procedures for reviewing and addressing allegations of research misconduct in accordance with applicable regulations and university policy.
The Office of Research Integrity and Security supports research compliance monitoring and auditing activities designed to promote regulatory compliance, research integrity, and continuous improvement across Augusta University’s research enterprise.
This program area is currently being developed to support monitoring, quality review, auditing, and compliance oversight activities related to research and research administration processes. Additional information about the scope of services, review processes, and available resources will be provided as the program continues to develop.
For questions about research compliance monitoring or auditing, please contact the Office of Research Integrity and Security.