October University of Galway hosts international conference on academic and research integrity

University of Galway is to host a major international conference on academic and research integrity this week, in partnership with the National Academic Integrity Network (NAIN).

Academic & Research Integrity Conference Ireland 2023 sets out to offer students, researchers, academics and professional staff in the sector the opportunity to come together to learn from each other, share ideas and think collectively about what practical steps are needed to sustain the value of integrity at the heart of higher education.

The conference will take place at the Galmont Hotel in Galway city from Wednesday October 4^th to Friday October 6^th 2023.

Registration, conference programme and further details are available here

Some of the themes to be featured at the conference include: identifying technology-related challenges and opportunities for supporting academic and research integrity such as ChatGPT, Google Translate, DALL-E, etc; reviewing approaches to academic and research misconduct - policies and practices; and creating student partnerships to enhance a culture of student-led academic integrity.

Keynote speakers at the conference include prominent international experts in the fields of Academic and Research Integrity including:

-      Elisabeth Bik, a science integrity volunteer and consultant who has worked at Stanford University and in industry.

-      Sarah Elaine Eaton, Associate Professor in the Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary, Canada and Honorary Associate Professor, Deakin University, Australia

-      Lex Bouter, Professor Emeritus of Methodology and Integrity at the Department of Epidemiology and Data Science of the Amsterdam University Medical Centers and the Department of Philosophy of the Faculty of Humanities of the Vrije Universiteit

-      Phil Newton, neuroscientist at the Swansea University Medical School

-      Serge Horbach from the Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy, Aarhus University.

-      Ann Rogerson, Associate Dean (Education) at the Faculty of Business and Law at University of Wollongong, Australia

The conference also aims to offer practical guidance and support, and to make connections across the themes and further strengthen our communities of practice.

Deputy President and Registrar, Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh, said: “The start of a new academic year is an opportune time to reflect on the core principles of higher education, and integrity, in all its forms, must be a leading value for universities. Together, we face the task of coming to grips with the challenges to research, teaching, and learning posed by generative artificial intelligence, and this conference provides a perfect venue for members of the university community to gather and to consider what we can do to maintain the highest standards of integrity in our education and qualifications.”

Dr Billy Kelly, Chair of the National Academic Integrity Network, said: “The National Academic Integrity Network (NAIN) is pleased to co-host this conference with University of Galway. At the current time, advancements in technology challenge current teaching, learning and assessment practices and these challenges have significant actual and potential consequences for both academic and research integrity. The conference will be an opportunity to learn from international and national leaders in this space, with all participants taking away tangible and actionable insights to discuss within their own organisations and communities of practice.”

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