The HEA’s Principles of Good Practice in Research within Irish Higher Education Institutions were first launched by the HEA in February 2020 and subsequently revised in December 2022 to take into account recent changes to the Irish research landscape. The revised Principles contain nine elements of good research practice including two new elements, ‘Gender Equality and Inclusiveness’ and ‘Research and Sustainability’ and act as guiding principles for the institutions to incorporate into their specific research environments.

The complete set of Principles are as follows:

1. Excellence in research and academic freedom;
2. Research integrity and ethics;
3. Open research;
4. Intellectual property and knowledge transfer;
5. Researcher development;
6. Research project and programme management;
7. Dignity and respect;
8. Gender equality and inclusiveness;
9. Research and sustainability.

These nine elements of good practice will guide HEIs to develop good research practices within their own research environments to help drive research excellence and further improve research outcomes with the view to enhancing the international reputation of the Irish Higher Education Research System.

2025/2026 Consultation

In late 2025 and early 2026, the Principles underwent another consultation process to:

• Assess whether the Principles still promote good practice and remain fit-for-purpose,
• Identify areas requiring clarifications, strengthening or expansion,
• Maintain alignment with national and international best practice

The report on the consultation process can be viewed above, with a revised set of Principles based on feedback provided by various stakeholders due for publication in late 2026.