FOI release

FOI2025/00705: UCL “Condenser for Social Sciences / SSRC Communications

This request was refused in full, so we didn't provide the information the requester asked for. This may include information where we can neither confirm nor deny that we hold it.

Case reference FOI2025/00705

Received 1 August 2025

Published 24 October 2025

Request

Request Received: 1 August 2025

Clarified on: 12 September 2025

 

1.     Internal UKRI communications (from 1st November 2023 to present) – including emails, attachments, timelines, and meeting records – which relate to:

a)     The UCL “Condenser” or “SSRC” digital research infrastructure platform, funded under UKRI RCIF or related programmes;

b)     Any complaint, escalation, or internal discussion involving whistleblowing, protected disclosures, research misconduct, or delivery concerns connected to that platform;

c)     The use or obstruction of Subject Access Requests (SARs), FOI responses, or governance processes relating to information access or reputational management;

d)     Legal, reputational, or regulatory risk assessments conducted by UKRI Legal, Communications, Assurance, Infrastructure or Counter Fraud teams in connection with this matter;

e)     Anticipated media, litigation or Parliamentary exposure arising from concerns or complaints related to the platform. 2. External communications (from 1st November 2023 to present) between UKRI and:~

a)     University College London (UCL), including UCL ARC (Advanced Research Computing), UCL Legal Services, UCL HR, or Faculty governance personnel;

b)     Regulators such as National Audit Office (NAO), the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), Office for Students (OfS) or Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT);

c)     Any third party referencing whistleblowing activity, research integrity risks, or legal retaliation connected to UCL’s digital infrastructure platforms.

Please interpret “communications” broadly to include:

·       Internal and external emails (including CC and BCC recipients),

·       Teams chats or briefings,

·       Attached documents, timelines, or case logs,

·       Meeting notes, risk registers, and fraud escalation summaries.

If this request exceeds the statutory cost limit, please advise how it may be narrowed while remaining in scope.

Response

Response Sent: 24 October 2025

Full details of the response are contained in the attached document.

Documents

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