Research integrity

Good scientific practice is not a list of rules to memorise. It is contested terrain, with some consensus and many grey zones, personal dilemmas, competing incentives and interpersonal conflicts. Research integrity is the art of doing research responsibly and well, grounded in shared scientific values. Guidelines and frameworks give direction, but not step-by-step instructions for putting them into practice.

Open Science
Research integrity cannot be discussed without the Open Science movement. Open Science is an ambition as well as a set of tools: it upholds the scientific value of transparency and supports reproducibility, the ability to repeat analyses or entire studies, which is one marker of quality and reliability in many fields. It also aims to make publicly funded research more collaborative and accessible. Around all of this there are many myths and some valid controversies, including concerns about data privacy.

AI and integrity
New technologies raise integrity questions faster than any guideline can answer them, from authorship and disclosure to the potential bias and reliability of results. Research integrity can no longer be discussed without considering generative AI tools and their widespread use in the academic system. In my workshops we apply general principles of integrity to the use of AI and look for strategies to work responsibly in specific use cases.

Training approach
My workshops on research integrity take a systemic approach, widening the perspective from individual conduct to the structures around it. That also means treating participants as part of the system, sharing responsibility both for maintaining integrity and for shaping standards. We work through dilemmas, debate them, and connect abstract rules back to the situations in which they have to hold.

Responsible Research workshop examples

Good Scientific Practice

Good scientific practice is the foundation of reliable research and scientific progress. In this workshop, we will explore its core principles from both systemic and practical perspectives. Short inputs, reflection exercises, and case discussions will offer opportunities to connect abstract norms with everyday research practice.

The aim of the workshop is to help you to

  • understand key concepts such as good scientific practice, scientific misconduct, questionable research practices, and responsible research
  • clarify roles and responsibilities for maintaining research ethics and integrity
  • become familiar with relevant regulations and codes of conduct (e.g. DFG guidelines, institute-specific policies)
  • reflect on how academic structures and research culture can make good practice difficult to implement
  • analyse real-life grey zones and individual dilemmas in research practice
  • consider how good scientific practice applies in the context of generative AI

This workshop can be tailored in scope and depth, from short introductory formats to extended sessions with in-depth practice.

Movements towards Responsible Research and Open Science are gaining increasing importance in the global academic system. This interactive workshop is designed to equip you with a comprehensive understanding of these key concepts and provide you with the opportunity to reflect on how these movements influence your scientific practices as well as career trajectories.

During the workshop, you will:

  • learn about the concepts of Responsible Research, Open Science, Good Scientific Practice and Research Evaluation
  • engage in exercises and discussions about the applicability of these concepts to your own research (field)
  • reflect on your role as a researcher in relation to your employer, community and society
  • explore factors that hinder and facilitate practicing responsible research
  • discuss implications and strategies for career development in the context of responsible research

This workshop can be tailored to specific interests, whether it be focusing on European developments, German regulatory frameworks, or Open Science practices. Possible formats for this workshop range from short teaser sessions to full day workshops.

I developed this 90 minute workshop for an event at the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Leipzig.

Practicing the principles of good and open science does not always align with career advancements in academia. In contrast, there is a tension between what guidelines for research integrity tell us and what we are rewarded for. This is a structural problem that deeply affects research culture. We will start this workshop by simulating how individuals decisions on scientific practices may affect career success through an interactive board game. Afterwards, we will engage in structured reflection on the dilemmas that arise during the simulation and relate them to the challenges you face in your research. We will brainstorm options for how to act in this competitive environment as early career researcher, influence research culture, and turn good practices into career advantages. By the end of this workshop, you will have a better understanding of the dilemmas in research integrity and open science, and will gain practical strategies to navigate these challenges.

A link to the board game in English and German can be found here.