On 9 December 2021 a global digital exchange of ideas and experiences on Scientific Integrity for stakeholders from UNESCO-related networks and science policy was hosted by the German Commission for UNESCO in cooperation with UNESCO’s Sectors for the Natural Sciences and the Social and Human Sciences.
GYA Executive Committee Member Encieh Erfani (IASBS, Iran) represented the GYA as a speaker. She highlighted the role of ECRs in scientific integrity by focusing on the challenges, solutions, and the role of the GYA and National Young Academies as voices of early-career researchers (ECRs). Encieh discussed fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism as types of research misconduct due to further pressure on ECRs.
The meeting highlighted current challenges facing scientific integrity, steps being taken to address misconduct in certain countries, and UNESCO’s commitment to promoting scientific integrity and Open Science in partnership with diverse global actors. Interventions need to ensure that science quality assurance systems are strengthened in both developed and developing countries.
The multi-dimensionality of scientific integrity in terms of its trajectories, challenges, and relevance for science and society, as well as robust regulatory institutional and educational cross-border practices that support an ethical science ethos was also discussed. Further, UNESCO’s endeavors and goals in supporting Open Science and cross-border science integrity were also highlighted.
GYA Members Ramia Al Bakain , Executive Committee Member Cristina Blanco SÃo-López (Ca’ Foscari University of Venice), Karen Cloete (University of South Africa), Erna Karalija (University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina), and Pradeep Kumar (Wits University, South Africa), as well as the Co-Chair of the Uganda National Young Academy James Peter Egonyu also contributed the ECR perspective to the meeting.
