UCA Research Governance Framework

UCA is committed to strengthening the credibility, integrity, and global recognition of professional coaching through responsible research governance.

This framework defines the standards by which research is reviewed, classified, and presented across UCA platforms. It ensures transparency in attribution, proportionality in claims, ethical responsibility in publication, and alignment with professional coaching standards.

Why Research Governance Matters

Professional credibility depends on the integrity of the evidence that informs practice. Clear governance ensures that research is curated responsibly, attributed accurately, and communicated without exaggeration or misrepresentation.

Through structured oversight, UCA supports evidence-informed practice while maintaining intellectual independence and professional accountability.

Governance Principles

Professional Relevance

Research demonstrates clear relevance to coaching, supervision, leadership development, organisational effectiveness, ethics, or emerging professional domains, including AI integration.

Methodological Integrity

Research presents transparent methodology, proportionate claims, and clearly articulated limitations. Findings are communicated responsibly and without distortion.

Ethical Responsibility

Research reflects appropriate ethical standards, including informed consent where applicable, data protection compliance, and responsible reporting.

Attribution & Intellectual Property

All research remains the intellectual property of its original authors unless formally commissioned by UCA. Authorship is clearly identified, and permission to share is confirmed where required.

Transparency

Research summaries identify authors, source publication, date, and research type. Inclusion within UCA platforms does not imply endorsement of all interpretations or conclusions.

Research Categories

Research featured by UCA is clearly categorised to ensure transparency:

UCA Research & Publications
Research conducted or formally commissioned by UCA.

Research Shared in Partnership
Research shared with permission by independent authors or organisations.

Coaching Research & Evidence Base
Summaries of third-party research provided for educational and professional reference.

This classification maintains clarity between original research, collaborative contributions, and curated evidence.

Review Process

Research submissions undergo structured internal review to assess:

Professional relevance
Evidentiary strength
Ethical alignment
Permission and attribution clarity

UCA reserves the right to decline, request clarification, or edit summaries for accuracy and balance.

The coaching evidence base continues to evolve. UCA reviews this framework periodically to reflect emerging research, interdisciplinary developments, and professional best practice.

Through responsible governance, UCA seeks to reinforce coaching as a credible, accountable, and globally respected professional discipline.

The downloadable PDF version contains the full governance document including version control and review schedule.