Our responsibilities
We are committed to attracting, developing and retaining the best minds in the world. We are therefore pledged to a number of practices to ensure this.
The Institute of Cancer Research is educating the next generation of cancer research scientists and we have an excellent reputation for developing Postdoctoral Research Fellows. We are committed to meeting the 'Best Practice' standards of The Concordat, first published in 2008 and revised in September 2019 to support the Career Development of Researchers, becoming signatories in August 2020.
As such, we hold the HR Excellence in Research Award from the European Commission since 2010. This award demonstrates how we are committed to developing our researchers in accordance to the 2008 Concordat and involved an external review every two years.
In becoming signatories of the updated Concordat we commit to regularly reviewing our progress against its principles to recognise and value researchers for their contributions in research and beyond, support them in their professional and career development and equip them to succeed in their chosen careers.
Annual Report for the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers
Concordat to Support Career Development 2024
2023 HR Excellence in Research twelve year review
HR Excellence in Research – 12 year report
HR Excellence in Research – updated action plan
HR Excellence in Research - forward action plan
2020 HR Excellence in Research ten year review
HR Excellence in Research – 10 year report
HR Excellence in Research – Updated action plan
HR Excellence in Research – new action plan
2018 HR Excellence in Research eight year review
HR Excellence in Research – eight year report
HR Excellence in Research – update on the last action plan
HR Excellence in Research 2018-2020 – New Action Plan
HR Excellence in Research 2018 Case Studies
2016 HR Excellence in Research six year review
HR Excellence in Research – six year report
HR Excellence in Research – update on the last action plan
HR Excellence in Research – new action plan 2016-20
2014/15 HR Excellence in Research four year review
HR Excellence In Research – four year report
HR Excellence In Research – update on the last action plan
HR Excellence In Research 2014 Case studies2015
HR Excellence in Research report from the peer review panel
Previous submissions
The Freedom of Information Act gives anybody the right to seek access to information held by public authorities. The Institute of Cancer Research, London, (ICR) is a public authority subject to the Act.
The Act provides two types of access to information held by the ICR:
- Information made routinely available to the public as explained in the Publication Scheme
- Any other information held and recorded by the ICR, subject to various exemptions in the Act
Environmental Information Regulations 2004
The Environmental Information Regulations provide a general right of access to environmental information. Environmental information is recorded information, in any form, in an area concerning environmental issues.
The ICR has combined the implementation of the Regulations with the Freedom of Information Act request handling procedures.
How to request information from The Institute of Cancer Research
We already make a lot of information available to you. Before you consider making a request, please try:
- Searching our website for the information using the search box on the homepage.
- Downloading and checking our Publication Scheme and Guide to Information.
If you still can't find what you are looking for you may ask for it under the Freedom of Information Act by emailing us, or by writing to: Head of Information Governance, 123 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3RP.
Please be specific about the information you want, as this will help us to find it for you. We are obliged to reply promptly and in any event within 20 working days.
- We may charge a fee for this service. When that happens, we will send you details in writing.
- Some information may not be available because it falls within one of the exemptions of the Act. When that happens, we will tell you which exemption applies and, in most cases, why the information cannot be released.
- If your request for information includes personal data relating to another person, an exemption in the Act may apply.
The ICR is a founding signatory of the Technician Commitment and committed to meeting the best practice standards to support the careers of our highly qualified technical staff. Our most recent submission was for stage 3 in January 2024. The ICR’s 36 month action plan is linked at the bottom of this page. It focusses on the four areas of development outlined by the Technician Commitment:
- Visibility - ensuring technicians at the ICR are identifiable and their contribution is visible within and beyond the institution.
- Recognition - Supporting technicians gain recognition through professional registration and external awards schemes.
- Career Development - Enabling career progression opportunities for technicians through clear, documented pathways.
- Sustainability - Ensuring the sustainability of technical skills across the ICR and that technical expertise is fully utilised.
Female scientist in goggles. Credit: Andrew Brookes.
Technical staff at the ICR
The ICR employs over 450 highly skilled technical staff with a broad range of expertise. They play a crucial part in the research achievements of the ICR and their work is vital in making the discoveries that defeat cancer. Technical staff at the ICR are made up by Scientific Officer grades (55%), Research Management grades (29%), Analytical Scientists (11%) and the Biological Services Unit (5%).
What we've achieved so far
Since we signed up to the Technical Commitment, we have expanded our career development support for scientific professional roles. We’ve built cross-institutional partnerships with our Research Institute Technician Commitment Group (RITG) partners; The Babraham Institute, Francis Crick Institute, John Innes Centre, MRC Harwell Institute, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Science Technology Facilities Council and the Wellcome Sanger Institute. Together we’ve run multiple events supporting career development of technical staff, including the RIT Symposium a biannual conference which is in planning for the 2025 (4th) iteration and includes an awards ceremony celebrating technical staff.
Our Professional Registration Programme, awarding staff external, independent recognition of their skills and competencies is funded by the Scientific Officer Association. Now in its 3rd year, it has had 10 participants supported by events and a mentoring scheme. The programme will be expanded over the next 36 months, with additional individuals funded by a Wellcome Trust Research Culture grant.
We’ve had fifteen delegates at the Herschel Programme For Women In Technical Leadership, established a mentoring scheme for Scientific Officers applying for promotion, and established a wider Technician Commitment Steering group with faculty members, core facilities and human resources input. This group raises awareness of the issues that affect technical staff and supports the Technician Commitment.
Technical roles have become more visible within our organisation, we regularly publish articles on our external website, intranet and social media feeds celebrating scientific officers’ accomplishments, awards given and highlighting their roles in features.
The Scientific Officer Association continues to play a key role in uplifting Scientific Officers, including:
- Travel and training bursaries.
- The annual technical conference.
- The Lunch and Learn series.
Next steps
The Learning and Organisational Development team will deliver two Technical Career Development Programmes. These practitioner-led career development programmes will be delivered by ICR and RITG partners, for existing technical staff at the ICR and RITG Institutions for staff at Higher Scientific Officer level or equivalent, and Core Facilities Managers and Senior technicians. These will be designed to equip individuals to grow into senior roles with management and leadership responsibilities, or, enhance leadership development and maximise services provided respectively.
Enhanced Professional Registration Support, which will maintain and improve, the current provision for professional registration through the Science Council and Engineering Council.
Piloting an internal Technician Exchange Programme between ICR divisions enabling work shadowing.
Action plans
Find out more about what has already been achieved and what we plan to do next in our action plans.
2024-2027 ICR Technician Commitment Action Plan
2021-2023 ICR Technician Commitment Action Plan
2018-2020 ICR Technician Commitment Action Plan
The Institute of Cancer Research, London, has developed guidelines on Good Research Practice to emphasise the importance of integrity and rigour in all research carried out at, and in partnership with, the ICR, and to help ensure that all researchers are aware of their obligations with respect to proper scientific conduct. This statement summarises good practice in research, signposting external references where applicable. It is intended mainly for external stakeholders such as funding bodies, patients and the general public to learn more about our policy on research integrity.
Download Good Research Practice guideline
Research integrity
Annual Statements on Research Integrity
The ICR is committed to the highest standards of research integrity and to transparency around any allegations of research misconduct that may arise.
The ICR subscribes to the Concordat to Support Research Integrity (Universities UK, 2019).
Download 2023 Annual Statement (PDF)
Download 2022 Annual Statement (PDF)
Download 2021 Annual Statement (PDF)
Download 2020 Annual Statement (PDF)
Download 2019 Annual Statement (PDF)
Download 2018 Annual Statement (PDF)
Download 2017 Annual Statement (PDF)
Misconduct in research
In August 2008 the UK Research Integrity Office (UKRIO) issued a 'Procedure for the Investigation of Misconduct in Research'. This step-by-step Procedure is aimed at all organisations engaged in research using funds from funding bodies such as the Research Councils and other government bodies, as well as from charities, overseas funding bodies and the commercial sector. The objectives of the Procedure are to:
- ensure that an investigation of alleged misconduct in research is thorough and fair
- demonstrate that, by using an agreed standard process, there should be fewer errors in the conduct of investigations; and
- reassure those who are under investigation that the process will follow a standard procedure adopted nationally by universities and other research organisations
The ICR's Board of Trustees agreed in September 2010 (Minute Reference B/9/10/11) that the Institute should adopt a similar procedure to deal with any case that may arise within the Institute.
A complaint of misconduct in research may be initiated by an individual (an Institute employee or someone outside of the Institute) or an external institution or organisation. Whatever the source, it must always be taken seriously so that justice is seen to be done to both the complainant and the respondent.
It is not easy to present a complaint against a colleague, and if complainants cannot be assured that bona fide complaints will be pursued with integrity, confidentiality, and without detriment, then misconduct may remain undiscovered.
Conversely, researchers are entitled to expect that their work is regarded as honest until shown to be otherwise, and that they will be protected against mischievous, frivolous or ill-founded complaints.
Contacts
- Named member of staff acting as a first point of contact for anyone wanting more information on matters of research integrity: Yuen-Li Chung, Research Operations Manager (Research Governance)
- Named senior member of staff overseeing research integrity and acting as confidential liaison for any person wishing to raise concerns about research integrity: Professor Clare Isacke, Dean of Academic and Research Affairs & Team Leader
Download our Procedure for Investigating Misconduct in Research
The ICR has a proud history of academic discovery and innovation. We strive to reward and encourage the best and most innovative cancer research. As such, we want to ensure our procedures for assessing our research achievements are fair, transparent and robust.
The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment
In June 2018, the ICR became a signatory of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA). As set out in DORA, the ICR recognises that evaluating the scientific content of a publication is more important than where it was published.
The ICR is committed to ensuring that we do not consider journal impact factors when hiring or promoting academic staff. Our recruitment, tenure review and promotion policies include explicit statements that journal impact factors will not be used in these assessments.
Research strategy and policy
The ICR research leadership board handles our current research strategy and policy. It's chaired by the ICR's Academic Dean, Professor Clare Isacke. The board has members from all divisions in the ICR. This ensures we have representation from a wide breadth of disciplines and expertise. The research leadership board implements and embeds the principles of fair research evaluation.
Find out more
For queries or more information please contact Dr Rebecca Cook, Head of Research Support at [email protected].