The HRA's role in research transparency

Last updated on 21 Apr 2026

The HRA has a legal duty to promote research transparency, which means we have a responsibility to champion openness in research.

Our vision is that trusted information from health and social care research studies is publicly available for the benefit of all.

To achieve this, we work in partnership across the research system to drive improvements and make transparency the norm in research.

Our research transparency strategy, which we developed in collaboration with key stakeholders across the research system, patients and the public, explains how we plan to ensure research is carried out transparently in the UK. 

We take forward our strategy by:

Sharing information on how researchers and sponsors are being transparent about their studies

In 2024 for the first time, as well as sharing data on the clinical trials in the UK that received a favourable opinion from RECs in 2022, we shared details on their registration number or an explanation for non-registration when this has been shared with us.

Read the latest clinical trial registration report.

In 2026 for the first time, we are sharing data we hold on whether sponsors have published their results on a public registry within a year of the study ending, and whether they have shared a summary of results with participants.

The data we are sharing covers trials that completed in 2023.

Read the publishing and sharing results with participants report.

Developing guidance

Read our guidance on each of the four areas of research transparency.

registering your research

reporting results

informing participants

sharing study data and tissue

Championing change

Our Make it Public group and campaign bring together a diverse range of people and organisations from across the research sector to promote and address barriers to research transparency.

Read about Make it Public.

Latest news

We are preparing for changes to Clinical Trials regulations next year, which will affect our research transparency guidance.

Sign up for our Clinical trials update to hear the latest news.

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