10 Fostering a Culture of Academic Integrity at Mary Immaculate College

Context and Purpose

This initiative aims to foster a culture of academic integrity across Mary Immaculate College (MIC) through coordinated, cross-institutional action. Led by Learning Enhancement and Academic Development (LEAD), the work recognises academic integrity as a shared responsibility that is underpinned by inclusive assessment design, student support, and clear institutional guidance.

Aims and Objectives

• Development of an Academic Integrity microsite for staff and students.
• Revision of MIC’s Academic Integrity Policy.
• Development of a schedule of activities for Academic Integrity Week.
• Supporting assessment design to strengthen academic integrity.

Initiative Overview

Learning Enhancement and Academic Development (LEAD) are supporting academic integrity throughout MIC through several key initiatives.

Development of an Academic Integrity Microsite for Staff and Students

Working in partnership with MISU, the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty of Education, the Academic Learning Centre, ICT Services, Data Compliance, and MIC Counselling Services, LEAD has developed an Academic Integrity microsite designed to act as a ‘one stop shop’ for staff and students seeking information and guidance on academic integrity.

The first phase of the microsite launched in September 2025 with a focus on Generative AI (genAI). Developed in collaboration with ICT Services and Data Compliance, this section provides guidance on the responsible use of genAI for teaching, learning, and assessment. It also supports students who wish to use genAI by advising them on how to avoid genAI infringements and breaches of the Academic Integrity Policy.

The remainder of the microsite is at the final stages of development and includes sections on Integrity at Risk, Strategies for Integrity, and Supports for Staff and Students. Emphasis is placed on supporting students to avoid academic integrity breaches, with input from MIC Counselling Services to support student mental health and wellbeing. Extensive guidance is also provided for staff on designing assessments that strengthen academic integrity. It is anticipated that the full microsite will launch during the current academic semester.

Revision of MIC’s Academic Integrity Policy

MIC’s Academic Integrity Policy is currently undergoing revision in collaboration with MISU and other key stakeholders across the College. The revised policy seeks to foster a culture of academic integrity while also outlining clear boundaries in relation to academic misconduct.

An educative and caring response to academic misconduct is a core feature of the revised policy. It is anticipated that this educative approach will promote a stronger understanding of academic integrity and support the development of a more enriched academic integrity culture within MIC.

Development of a Schedule of Activities for Academic Integrity Week

Particular emphasis was placed on academic integrity during National Academic Integrity Week (13–17 October 2025). Key activities included two keynote presentations. Dr Fiona O’Riordan (CCT College, Dublin) shared perspectives on Interactive oral assessment to strengthen academic integrity, while Professor Danny Liu (University of Sydney) led a discussion on Practicalities of the two-lane approach to assessment: balancing integrity with relevance.

These keynotes reached close to 200 participants across the Irish higher education sector, and recordings are available for those who wish to engage with the content. LEAD also launched a local iteration of the National Forum open course GenAI for Teaching and Learning: how to do it right and is supporting colleagues who wish to work towards gaining this digital badge.

In addition, a student survey was launched to investigate existing student perceptions and practices related to academic integrity. This work is ongoing, and results will be shared in the coming months.

Supporting Assessment Design to Strengthen Academic Integrity

An ongoing aim of LEAD is to support colleagues in designing assessments that strengthen academic integrity, recognising that robust assessment design is a key pillar of academic integrity. Current supports include:

• Regular workshops for MIC staff who wish to re/design assessments.
• Semesterly calls for support with assessment design, leading to one-to-one support with members of the LEAD team.
• Embedding a focus on assessment and feedback within MIC’s accredited programme for those who teach in MIC, the Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice.
• Sharing examples of innovative assessment practices through the development of a series of case studies.

Impact and Evidence of Success

To date, the assessment case studies series has received 631 views, while the genAI microsite received 280 views within the first two weeks of launch. There is ongoing engagement with LEAD in relation to assessment re/design, with many staff examining their approaches to assessment within modules and across programmes.

Engagement with keynote speakers during Academic Integrity Week was strong across the sector, with 190 unique registrations from higher education institutions throughout Ireland. Recordings of the keynote sessions continue to be accessed regularly.

Future Directions and Sustainability

The work outlined above is recognised as ongoing, reflecting the understanding that fostering a culture of academic integrity is a continual process. Key future milestones include:

• Launch of the full Academic Integrity microsite for staff and students.
• Launch of the revised MIC Academic Integrity Policy.
• Continued research into student perceptions and practices related to academic integrity, with the aim of establishing baseline data and setting targets to support student learning.
• Development of a special purpose postgraduate award focused on inclusive assessment and feedback, to be offered as a professional learning opportunity for MIC staff.

Alignment and Policy Context

• Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Principles
• National Academic Integrity Network (NAIN) frameworks and guidelines

Resources and Supporting Information

• Dr Fiona O’Riordan (CCT College): Interactive oral assessment to strengthen academic integrity. https://mic.video.yuja.com/V/Video?v=955457&node=5357579&a=143824403
• Prof Danny Liu (University of Sydney): Practicalities of the two-lane approach to assessment: balancing integrity with relevance. https://mic.video.yuja.com/V/Video?v=955432&node=5357582&a=28497335

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Funding and Acknowledgements

Funding: Much of the work outlined above has been supported by SATLE funding from the Higher Education Authority and the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.