Harvard Medical School (HMS) faculty engage in many types of collaborative interactions with outside entities. Such collaborations often involve opportunities for HMS faculty to engage with industry and other external organizations to help translate research discoveries to improve clinical care. Engaging in collaborations with outside entities is typically a positive indicator that faculty members are recognized thought-leaders in their fields. With the many positives that may flow from partnerships with industry and others comes the potential for conflicts of interest and conflicts of commitment. HMS has an obligation to safeguard the integrity of HMS research, teaching, and clinical care and to actively limit potential or perceived conflicts of interest and conflicts of commitment.
The Office for Academic and Research Integrity (ARI) provides guidance to faculty regarding their outside professional activities to help mitigate potential conflicts of interest and conflicts of commitment. ARI is responsible for the implementation of the HMS and University conflict of interest (COI) policies: Faculty of Medicine on the Conflicts of Interest and Commitment Policy and University-wide policy on Individual Conflicts of Interest. In accordance with the COI policies, ARI oversees the annual collection and review of faculty outside activity disclosures, review of research proposals for potential conflicts of interest, and the management of potential conflicts of interest pursuant to a formal management plan where necessary.
If you have questions or concerns about faculty outside activities please contact us at outside_activities@hms.harvard.edu. Should you have a concern to report, you may email us or call the anonymous reporting line at 877-694-2275. We take all allegations of non-compliance seriously.