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The Science Integrity Alliance (SIA) is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability across all its activities and collaborations. This policy outlines how SIA protects its confidential information and ensures the transparent disclosure and management of competing interests.

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1. Commitment to Confidentiality

During their engagement with SIA, members of the Leadership Team, contributors, and partner entities may have access to confidential or proprietary information belonging to SIA, such as unpublished content, internal discussions, project materials, or strategic and financial data.

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All individuals agree to:

a) Treat such information as private and not disclose it to third parties without authorization;

b) Use it solely for legitimate SIA-related purposes; and

c) Handle and store it with appropriate care and security.

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The duty of confidentiality continues after an individual’s or entity’s involvement with SIA ends, unless the information becomes public through lawful means or disclosure is required by law.
Information may be disclosed without breach of this policy only when required by law, court order, or regulatory authority, or when SIA has provided explicit written consent.

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2. Competing Interests: Disclosure and Management Procedure

2.1. Duty to Disclose

individuals and entities engaging with SIA as members of the Leadership Team, committees, independent contractors, volunteers, and entities participating in SIA’s Partnership Program have a continuing duty to disclose any actual, potential or perceived competing interests that could influence, or appear to influence, their work with SIA. This includes financial, professional, personal or organisational relationships that might conflict with SIA’s aims or activities.

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2.2. Timing of Disclosure

Disclosures should be made:

• Upon joining SIA or beginning a new role, contract, project or partnership;

• Whenever a new potential conflict arises; and

• At least annually, through SIA’s standard declaration process.

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2.3. How to Disclose

Individuals should submit disclosures confidentially to the designated SIA contact (normally the Executive Director) using SIA’s Conflict of Interest Declaration Form. Disclosures by the Executive Director will be submitted to the SIA Leadership Team.

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2.4. Review and Management

The Executive Director will review disclosures promptly and determine whether a conflict exists and, if so, what action is appropriate, seeking advice from the SIA Leadership Team when needed.

• Disclosures by the Executive Director will be reviewed by the SIA Leadership Team, in the same way as the above.

• Disclosures relating to members of the Editorial Committee will be reviewed by the Executive Director with the assistance of the Editorial Lead.

• Any person making a disclosure is automatically recused from any decision-making role about their disclosure.

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Possible management measures include:

• Recording the interest and taking no further action (where no conflict exists);

• Adjusting or limiting the person’s role in relevant discussions, decisions, or activities;

• In rare cases, withdrawal from a project or position if the conflict cannot be adequately managed.

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All decisions and actions will be documented to ensure transparency and accountability.

 

2.5. Confidentiality and Transparency

Disclosures will be handled with sensitivity and confidentiality. Where appropriate, and in line with SIA’s commitment to transparency, summary information about conflicts and their management may be made publicly available.​​

 

2.6. Continuous Commitment

SIA expects everyone involved in its work to uphold these principles proactively. By identifying and managing competing interests openly, SIA reinforces the trust and integrity that underpin its mission and global collaborations.

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3. Relationship with SIA’s Privacy Policy
This policy should be read in conjunction with SIA's Privacy Policy, which governs how SIA collects, stores, and protects personal information obtained through its website and associated digital platforms.