Research and integrity
Research
IBIRC supports research that deepens knowledge of Iraq and the Middle East and contributes to education and public understanding. Our priorities include literature and cultural studies; language and translation; history and archaeology; heritage and memory; education; and human rights, particularly the experiences of children and vulnerable communities affected by conflict.
Digital humanities and digital heritage methods can support these fields through the study, organisation and interpretation of texts, archives and cultural materials. Comparative work with the UK and other countries is welcomed where it strengthens the research and its public value.
How we select topics
Trustees, advisers and affiliated researchers may propose topics. The research framework provides for committee review and a recommendation to the Board of Trustees, which retains final responsibility for approval. Approved priorities are recorded in an annual research plan.
Proposals are assessed against eight considerations: alignment with our charitable objects; identifiable public benefit; academic merit and originality; practical feasibility; ethics and safeguarding; partnership and training value; geographic and community relevance; and legal, security, reputational and financial risks.
Where several proposals meet these criteria, priority is given to urgent educational or heritage needs, support for teachers and emerging researchers, UK–Iraq cooperation and accessible outputs. The framework uses a simple scoring approach to support consistent prioritisation.
From proposal to publication
Each approved project should have a named Principal Investigator, appropriate methods, realistic objectives, a timetable and a data-management plan. Relevant ethical review must take place before fieldwork. Work with people requires appropriate consent, confidentiality and safeguards; sensitive data must be securely managed, with access restricted and identities anonymised where appropriate.
Progress reports identify achievements, risks and necessary changes. Before release under the IBIRC name, outputs undergo internal review by at least one suitably qualified reviewer, source and data checks, and checks on originality, contributor acknowledgement and conflicts of interest. Public-facing outputs are also reviewed for clarity.
Sharing and reviewing research
We encourage reputable scholarly outlets and accessible reports, summaries and teaching resources. Open archiving is pursued where copyright permits. Projects are monitored against their original aims; the research quality and topic-selection frameworks are reviewed at least every three years, or sooner when circumstances require.
To discuss a proposal, contact info@ibirc-center.co.uk with the research question, methods, intended beneficiaries, team and likely resource needs.