You asked
Please provide the primary research report on Domestic Abuse and presentation slides produced by the University of Bristol.
We said
Thank you for your request.
The requested information is exempt from disclosure under Section 22A(1)(b)(iv) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). This applies as the requested information is derived from an ongoing programme of research that is intended to be published in the future. The interests of the University of Bristol would be prejudiced by the disclosure of this information under FOIA, as this would detrimentally impact their opportunities to have their work formally published in a journal. This would negatively impact the University and the researchers working on the programme, as having their work published in a prominent academic journal would enable them to officially cite their work in their academic portfolios. Following this, they would benefit from future research and collaboration opportunities, which, in turn, would also provide further funding opportunities. Our publication of their work at this stage would therefore jeopardise their academic reputation and future research opportunities.
This exemption is subject to a public interest test. Whilst we appreciate arguments in favour of transparency of the information that public authorities hold, we also value the public interest in the need for public authorities to uphold the trust placed in us by our academic partners when sharing their research. Ad hoc disclosure of academic research under FOIA prior to a planned publication in a journal would prejudice our academic partners, rendering them unwilling to share their research or to collaborate with us in the future.
We work with a number of academics on a variety of projects, which greatly enhances our understanding of our research topics. Consequently, we are able to produce high quality research that directly benefits the public good. Should this be jeopardised, this would lead to a reduction in the quality and breadth of our research, which, in turn, would negatively impact well-informed decision-making on public policy. Therefore, in this case, the public interest falls in favour of withholding the requested information.