Bridging ethics, compliance, and integrity in research practice - the pennsylvania state university proposes to host a one-day hybrid-format conference designed to bring together individuals…

The Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health awarded The Pennsylvania State University $100,000 on September 30, 2025, under the Research on Research Integrity program (CFDA 93.085) to host a one-day hybrid-format conference on ethics, compliance, and integrity in research practice.

The conference brings together faculty, staff, librarians, trainees, and administrators across the research lifecycle to address contemporary integrity issues and explore how responsible conduct of research principles deter misconduct while enhancing research quality and rigor. Deliverables include strengthened collaborations among stakeholder groups, launch of the RCR Awards recognizing exemplary staff members, faculty, and trainees demonstrating responsible conduct principles, and the BIG READ—a shared reading experience designed to encourage reflection and dialogue on current ethical research topics. Penn State will develop a shared online repository housing guided discussion materials, session video recordings, pre- and post-conference evaluation instruments, RCR Awards nomination materials, and BIG READ discussion guides, all designed for reuse and adaptation by other institutions. A comprehensive conference report will summarize participant insights and actionable next steps. Materials will be made publicly available with broad distribution to academic and professional societies, applicable to national and international audiences.

Period of performance runs from September 30, 2025, through September 29, 2026. Place of performance is Pennsylvania.

Bridging ethics, compliance, and integrity in research practice - the pennsylvania state university proposes to host a one-day hybrid-format conference designed to bring together individuals involved in the various phases of the research lifecycle including faculty, staff, librarians, trainees, and administrators, to encourage dialogue on how these groups can partner to address contemporary integrity issues in research. The conference theme will explore how the principles of the responsible conduct of research not only deter research misconduct but also enhance the quality, rigor, and impact of research restoring public trust in science and promoting research integrity. Key deliverables from the conference include strengthened collaborations, the launch of two new initiatives-the RCR awards and the big read-and the development of a shared online repository of resources. The RCR awards will recognize a staff member, faculty member, and trainee who demonstrate the RCR principles. The big read will be a shared reading experience among the research community to encourage reflection and dialogue on current ethical research topics. The repository will house guided discussion materials, session video recordings and content, and pre- and post-conference evaluation instruments, all designed for reuse and adaptation. Materials related to the RCR awards nomination process and the big read program (including the selected book and discussion guides) will also be made available to encourage adoption by other institutions. Additionally, a comprehensive conference report will summarize major insights and outline actionable next steps identified by participants. The goal is to provide conference participants with the necessary information and resources to foster a community of research ethics and integrity. Resources will be applicable to both national and international audiences and will be publicly available with broad distribution to relevant academic and professional societies.