University of Derby shares $2.5 million grant to address plagiarism

The University of Derby is part of a university-based global research team that has received a $2.5 million grant for research on an international intervention for the prevention of plagiarism.

The grant, awarded by the Canadian Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, will fund a seven-year project to establish a University Partnership on Plagiarism Prevention (PUPP), which will focus on how university students think about, use, and misuse digital sources in academic writing.

Led by Martine Peters, Professor at the University of Quebec in Outaouais, the project is made up of 59 researchers and collaborators from various disciplines, across 34 partner institutions. Dr Shivadas Sivasubramaniam, Head of Biomedical and Forensic Science at the University of Derby, will lead the research at Derby.

Dr Sivasubramaniam is an active researcher in developing novel approaches in teaching biomedical sciences, including academic integrity/plagiarism deterrence and medical ethics, and is a member of European Network of Academic Integrity (ENAI), where he chairs the ethical advisory working group. He has previously worked closely with the Higher Education Academy and Plagiarism Advisory Services to address how students can be educated to enhance their academic writing and has developed innovative teaching techniques to educate students on plagiarism deterrence.

Speaking about the project, Dr Sivasubramaniam, said: “I am delighted that University of Derby is part of the PUPP project and the important work that the partnership will be doing to reduce plagiarism internationally.

“I look forward to working with researchers and partners from all over the world on this project which will lead to educational solutions that will improve student engagement and academic integrity.”

To find out more about the grant, visit the Canadian Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.