UK Research and Innovation

The complainant made a request for information to the EPSRC for information on mid-term reviews of Centres for Doctoral Training including the scores awarded and any feedback provided. EPSRC confirmed it held scores, letters to the institutions confirming the scores as well as more detailed emails to individual researchers but considered this information should be withheld on the basis of section 40, 41 and 36(2) of the FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that EPSRC is entitled to rely on section 36(2)(c) in relation to the emails to researchers and the public interest favours maintaining the exemption. EPSRC is entitled to rely on sections 36(2)(b)(i), (ii) and (c) in regard to the scores and feedback letters to institutions but the public interest favours releasing the information. EPSRC is not entitled to rely on section 41 in relation to this information. The Commissioner requires the public authority to disclose the scores and feedback letters to the institutions it has withheld under sections 36(2)(b), 36(2)(c) and 41 having redacted any third party personal data. Information Tribunal appeal GIA/850/2019 allowed. Information Tribunal appeal UA/2021/0330-GIA & 0331-GIA pta refused. Information tribunal EA/2018/0216 appeal allowed.