Academic staff on Teaching & Research contracts are considered independent
Research-only academic staff at research assistant level are not considered independent
Research-only academic staff who are at research associate level and above or clinical researchers are potentially independent. To determine this, the indicators of independence listed in the College code of practice (paragraph 34) should be taken into consideration. The provision of an appeals procedure is integral to the process for determining research independence; further details can be found in Part 3 of the College code of practice as well as in Annex 5.