Managing a conflict of interest
There are some circumstances, where declaring the perceived, potential or actual conflict may be sufficient to adequately mitigate or manage the conflict. The Declaration of a Conflict of Interest Form is available to all staff to complete and provide to their supervisor or relevant party e.g. Panel Chair; Board Chair etc.
Other strategies to consider:
- Removal from situation or conflict.
- Restricted involvement in the situation or conflict and documenting this involvement.
- Engaging an independent third party to oversee part or all of the relevant activity or process.
- Relinquishing an interest which is ongoing, unacceptable and/or likely to damage the reputation of the University.
In some cases, it may be necessary or advisable to resign from a particular role if mitigating the risk of conflict is not possible1.
Suggestions to consider in developing a conflict management plan
The following options could be considered and recorded as part of a conflict management strategy.
- Taking no further action because the potential for conflict is minimal or can be eliminated by disclosure and effective supervision.
- Disclosing the potential, perceived or actual conflict to those involved in making. decisions relevant to the matter and identifying agreed strategies to mitigate this and recording in a conflict management plan.
- Refraining from participating in a decision-making process where a personal interest is apparent
- Referring decisions on financial transactions, where there is conflict to another appropriate Manager for oversight and approval
- Appointing independent reviewers to oversee the integrity of the process or decision-making
- Appointing additional members to a panel or committee to minimise the influence of the individual about whom the perception of conflict is held
- Restricting the access of the person who may be conflicted to relevant information that is sensitive or confidential
- Requesting the person relinquish or divest the personal interest which creates the conflict or to make other arrangements
- Modifying a research proposal or plan to remove or mitigate conflict
- Removing the person from the responsibilities or duties to which the conflict relates
- Seeking public disclosure of a researcher's financial interest in any research sponsor or the commercial success of any strategy, product or service.
- Arranging for members of boards and committees to absent themselves from debate or decision on specific matters where they may be conflicted.
