Responsible Office: Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, Office of Research Integrity and Ethics
Office Contact: ORIE@wustl.edu
Effective Date: January 1, 2026 (updated from December 10, 2010)
Washington University expects all members of the research community to report observed instances of research misconduct and will take steps to assure the confidentiality of those reporting. Washington University has no tolerance of retaliation against individuals participating in a research misconduct proceeding.
Please refer to the Rights and Responsibilities of individuals involved in a research misconduct proceeding for more information.
Protections from Retaliation Provided to Individuals Involved in Research Misconduct Proceedings
- Washington University takes allegations of retaliation seriously and strongly believes in the importance of protecting individuals from retaliation for their participation in or cooperation with research misconduct proceedings. Retaliation may include, but not is not limited to, threats, intimidation, harassment, adverse changes in working conditions, academic disadvantage, exclusion from opportunities, or unwarranted negative evaluations.
- The University will protect any individual involved in research misconduct proceedings from any retaliatory actions and will address any concerns as outlined in Section XIV of the Research Integrity Policy.
- No individual shall engage in actions which are, or could be perceived as, retaliatory against any individual involved with the proceedings. Adverse actions towards individuals participating in this process are strictly prohibited and will be addressed accordingly.
- The University may implement interim measures, such as, but not limited to, temporary changes in supervision, work assignments, or reporting lines, to protect individuals while retaliation concerns are resolved.
- If an individual feels they are being retaliated against, they should immediately contact the Research Integrity Officer (RIO), the Office of Research Integrity & Ethics (ORIE), or the Vice Chancellor for Research (VCR). The RIO, ORIE, or VCR, in consultation with the appropriate dean, department head, or division chief shall promptly take all appropriate steps to protect the individual from retaliation.
- All individuals involved in research misconduct proceedings will be notified of the University’s prohibition of any adverse actions towards individuals participating in research misconduct proceedings and that any allegations of potential retaliation will be addressed as described in Section XIV of the Research Integrity Policy.
If you have any questions about the protections from retaliation provided to individuals participating in a research misconduct proceeding, please feel free to contact ORIE@wustl.edu.