Responsible Conduct in the Global Research Enterprise a Policy Report
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September 2012 Responsible Conduct in the Global Research Enterprise Responsible Conduct in the Global Research Enterprise A Policy Report IAC Secretariat IAP Secretariat Het Trippenhuis IAP – the global network of science academies Kloveniersburgwal 29 c/o ICTP Campus (Adriatico Guesthouse – 7th Floor) Amsterdam Strada Costiera 11 The Netherlands 34151 Trieste Italy P.O. Box 19121 1000 GC Amsterdam The Netherlands T +31 (0)20 551 0766 T +39-040-2240680/692/681 F +31 (0)20 620 4941 F +39-040-2240688 [email protected] [email protected] www.interacademycouncil.net www.interacademies.net IAC / IAP InterAcademy Council InterAcademy Council IAP in Brief Mobilizing the world’s best science to • Launched in 1993 South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and • Comprised of 105 academies advise decision-makers on issues of global the United States, plus the African Academy of • Receives core funding from the Italian government concern Sciences and the Academy of Sciences for the • Hosted by TWAS, the academy of sciences for the Developing World (TWAS)—and representatives developing world of the IAP: The Global Network of Science Acad- • Located in Trieste, Italy Expert Advice emies, the International Council of Academies of The InterAcademy Council (IAC) is a multina- Engineering and Technological Sciences (CAETS), IAP is a global network of the world’s science acade- tional organization of science academies created and the InterAcademy Medical Panel (IAMP) of mies, launched in 1993. Its primary goal is to help to produce reports on scientific, technological, and medical academies. Official observers on the IAC member academies work together to advise citizens health issues related to the great global challenges Board include the presidents of the International and public officials on the scientific aspects of critical of our time, providing knowledge and advice to Council for Science (ICSU) and the Royal Nether- global issues. national governments and international organiza- lands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). tions. Sound scientific, technological, and medical IAP is particularly interested in assisting young and knowledge is fundamental to addressing critical Independent Judgment small academies achieve these goals and, through the issues facing the world today. When requested to provide advice on a particular communication links and networks created by IAP issue, the IAC assembles an international panel of activities, all academies will be able to raise both their Sharing Knowledge experts. Serving on a voluntary basis, panel mem- public profile among citizens and their influence At the United Nations in February 2004, the IAC bers meet and review current, cutting-edge knowl- among policy makers. released its first report, Inventing a Better Future edge on the topic and prepare a draft report on its —A Strategy for Building Worldwide Capacities findings, conclusions, and recommendations. All in Science and Technology. A second IAC report, IAC draft reports undergo an intensive process of IAP Objectives are: commissioned by the U.N. Secretary-General and peer review by other international experts. Only To position IAP as a recognized and independent published in June 2004, was titled Realizing the when the IAC Board is satisfied that feedback from provider of high-quality global science advice. Promise and Potential of African Agriculture—Scien- the peer review has been thoughtfully considered To initiate and support programs on capacity buil- ce and Technology Strategies for Improving Agricultu- and incorporated is a final report released to the re- ding, science education, and science communication. ral Productivity and Food Security in Africa. A third questing organization and the public. Every effort To take a leading role in efforts to improve the effecti- report was published in June 2006, Women for is made to ensure that IAC reports are free from veness of international science cooperation. Science. A fourth report was published in October any national or regional bias. 2007, Lighting the Way: Toward a Sustainable Energy Diversified Funding Future. A fifth report was published in fall 2010: a www.interacademies.net review of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate IAC projects are funded by multiple sponsors, Change (IPCC) as requested by the U.N. Secretary- including national governments, private founda- General and Chair of the IPCC. tions, and international organizations. Administra- tive overhead is covered by special grants from the Global Experience Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, The IAC embodies the collective expertise and the host organization for the IAC Secretariat. Parti- experience of national academies from all re- cipating academies contribute not only intellectual gions of the world. The current eighteen-member resources but also funding for developing new IAC Board is composed of presidents of fifteen projects and special activities. academies of science and equivalent organiza- tions—representing Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, www.interacademycouncil.net Responsible Conduct in the Global Research Enterprise ‘All creatures seek happiness in whatever they do; but happiness cannot be had Responsible Conduct in the Global without righteous conduct. Therefore righteous conduct is obligatory for all.’ Physician Vāgbhaṭa in Aṣṭāṅgahr̥daya, believed to be sixth century AD, Research Enterprise: as quoted in Valiathan (2009a). A Policy Report InterAcademy Council / IAP – the global network of science academies 2012 ii Responsible conduct in the global research enterprise | A policy report Responsible Conduct in the Global Research Enterprise: A Policy Report InterAcademy Council / IAP – the global network of science academies 2012 Responsible conduct in the global research enterprise | A policy report iii ISBN 978 90 6984 645 3 © Copyright InterAcademy Council, IAP – the global network of science academies, 2012 Non-commercial reproduction Information in this report has been produced with the intent that it be readily available for personal and public non-commercial use and may be reproduced, in part or in whole and by any means, without charge or further permission from the InterAcademy Council. We ask only that: – Users exercise due diligence in ensuring the accuracy of the materials reproduced; – The source be identified as the InterAcademy Council and IAP – the global network of science academies; and – The reproduction is not represented as an official version of the materials reproduced, nor as having been made in affiliation with or with the endorsement of the InterAcademy Council. Commercial reproduction Reproduction of multiple copies of materials in this report, in whole or in part, for the purposes of commer- cial redistribution is prohibited except with written permission from the InterAcademy Council. To obtain permission to reproduce materials in this report for commercial purposes, please contact the InterAcademy Council, c/o Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, P.O. Box 19121, NL-1000 GC Amsterdam, The Netherlands, [email protected] Design and layout Ellen Bouma, Alkmaar, The Netherlands, www.ellenbouma.nl Printer Bejo Druk & Print, Alkmaar, The Netherlands, www.bejodruk.nl This publication is made from FSC-certified paper with number CU-COC-804134-N. Foreword The report serves as a guide to basic values that govern the conduct of research and the communica- tion of research results and recommends specific actions that should be used to ensure and maintain the integrity of research. We call attention to key recommendations in the report: • Researchers have the primary responsibility for Forging an international consensus on upholding standards of responsible conduct in responsible conduct in the global research research. They should employ the expected stand- enterprise. ards of their fields, observe applicable laws and regulations, be willing to share data with others, A global research enterprise is emerging, with enor- and agree on the standards to be observed in mous benefit to economic and social well-being. multidisciplinary collaborations. Today throughout the world, millions more scientists • Research institutions need to establish clear, well- and engineers are working than there were just two communicated rules that define irresponsible decades ago. Many countries are now investing conduct and ensure that all researchers, research substantial sums in scientific, engineering, medical, staff, and students are trained in the application of social science and other scholarly research. Multi- these rules to research. They should establish national research teams are on the increase. In this effective mechanisms for addressing allegations of new global context, shared scientific core values and research misconduct. Research institutions also norms are important for both the research commu- need to create an environment that fosters nity and the broader public. Yet significant differ- research integrity through education, training, and ences among countries have been revealed in the mentoring and by embracing incentives that deter definitions of and approaches to the conduct of irresponsible actions. responsible research. • Public and private funding agencies should avoid These urgent issues are being addressed by the policies that might lead to overemphasis of quan- world’s national scientific academies through their tity over quality in the reward systems for representative international organizations,