Initiative Description

The challenges faced by higher education institutions in transiting to online teaching and assessment during COVID-19 is well documented in both the international and Irish context. Evidence is a critical component in the development of new approaches in changed contexts and this requires institutions to revisit assessment discourses and reflect on the structural and contextual issues that impact on assessment, academic integrity and ethical practice. This approach using a research evidential base will form part of an institution wide UCD focus on reframing assessment and addressing the issue of academic integrity and ethical practice.  Quality Qualifications Ireland selected this project for funding as one of eight national projects to address this area.   Led by Professor Marie Clarke, QQI funding secured the appointment of a  Postdoctoral Researcher to support this work.

Programme of work

The Working Group will:

1. Consider the evidence and data relating to academic integrity and ethical practice to best inform robust and supportive approaches in UCD. Evidence and data will be gathered through appropriate mechanisms including, but not limited to:
   - National and international benchmarking
   - Published scholarship
   - Existing institutional data
2. Oversee a university-wide consultation process with faculty to explore current views about academic integrity and academic dishonesty
3. Oversee a university-wide consultation with students to explore their views about academic integrity and academic dishonesty
4. Consider data on the incidents of academic integrity breaches in each School, the nature of the breaches, the manner in which they were dealt with and outcome of the investigations
5. Consider data on the incidents of academic integrity breaches that were dealt with at university level.
6. Consider, and make recommendations relating to, resources to best support academic integrity and ethical practice, which may include:
   - Piloting and procurement of third-party software to support academic integrity
   - New approaches to assessment design and grading
   - University wide funded projects to support academic integrity and ethical practice
   - Updates to existing university processes and systems
7. Ensure that the project approach upholds, at all stages, the promotion of access, quality assurance in academic delivery, and data security.
8. Consider and make recommendations relating to necessary training and supports for faculty, staff, and students in relation to academic integrity and ethical praxis in assessment.
9. Be cognisant of possible changes to existing policies and regulations, and to notify the appropriate governance body in a timely manner.
10. Agree and oversee university-wide communications relating to the implementation of academic integrity and ethical practice policy, if adopted.
11. Consider and report on benefits and risks of adopting different approaches and advise with reference to appropriate mitigation measures.