Join us on 15 October 2025, from 10h00-11h30 UTC (12h00-13h30 CET) for the next Webinar in the Research Assessment for Ethics, Data and AI Discussion Series.

The world of science is undergoing a profound and rapid transformation, driven by an unprecedented influx of data and the analytical power of AI. Researchers and theorists increasingly regard this moment as the dawn of the “fourth scientific paradigm,” a shift from a traditional hypothesis-driven model to one of data-driven discovery, where insights emerge directly from the information itself. This new era is not merely about employing smarter tools; it has the potential to fundamentally redefine how research questions are posed, answered, and categorised.

AI is proving to be a catalyst for accelerated discovery across various fields. Beyond speeding up breakthroughs, data-driven technologies are reshaping the landscape of knowledge itself, leading to the emergence of “computational” versions of traditional disciplines (e.g. computational linguistics, biology, and astrophysics). This development fosters an imperative for transdisciplinary collaboration, as AI acts as a nexus for sharing knowledge and methodologies across previously siloed fields.

However, this new paradigm is not without its challenges. The rapid expansion of AI research has been accompanied by a “reproducibility crisis,” whereby many study results are difficult or even impossible to replicate. Another significant concern is the “black box” problem, where the inner workings of complex AI models are opaque to human understanding. This lack of transparency hinders bias detection and trust-building, particularly in high-stakes areas such as medical diagnosis.

Join our panel of experts as we explore questions such as how AI and data technologies are likely to affect different disciplines, how we should be preparing for the changes that are coming, how we can best prevent these data-driven approaches from compromising the integrity and reproducibility of scientific findings, and the challenges and opportunities this new research landscape is likely to bring.

The Research Assessment for Ethics, Data and AI Discussion Series is a collaborative platform uniting various initiatives dedicated to advancing responsible research practices. Central to this effort is the Coalition for the Advancement of Research Assessment (CoARA) ERIP Working Group, a dynamic alliance supported by the European University Association, Science Europe, and the European Commission, which emphasises ethical evaluation in data and AI research. The series also features contributions from the International Data Policy Committee of the International Science Council’s CODATA, advocating for open science and equitable data policies, as well as the Research Data Alliance’s Data Visitation Working Group. Additionally, the Ethical Data Initiative, led by the University of Exeter and the Technical University of Munich, brings a philosophical, historical, and social perspective to the discussions on data and research ethics.

Speakers

Astrid Wissenburg is the Divisional Director of Research at the University of Exeter. In this role, she is responsible for the University Research and Impact Strategy, leading the Research Division, which includes the Doctoral College, Research Services, and Technical Strategy and Operations. A key focus of her work is making knowledge and research accessible and usable, and she is a strong advocate for improving research culture and supporting early-career researchers.

Before joining Exeter, Astrid held significant roles, including Director of Research, Scholarship and Quality at the Open University (OU) and Deputy Chief Executive and Director for Partnerships and Communications at the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). She is currently a member of the UKRI Infrastructure Advisory Group and a non-executive Director of the Exeter Science Park Board. Her qualifications include an MSc (Distinction) in Systems Thinking in Practice and a Master of Public Administration (MPA).

Cameron Neylon is a Professor of Research Communication at the Centre for Culture and Technology at Curtin University, where he is the co-lead on the Curtin Open Knowledge Initiative (COKI).

His research focuses on the culture of researchers, the political economy of research institutions, and how these interact with the changing technology environment. He is a prominent advocate for open research practice, including Open Access and Open Data. Neylon was a contributor to the Panton Principles for Open Data and the altmetrics manifesto. His previous roles include Advocacy Director at PLOS (Public Library of Science) and Senior Scientist at the STFC Isis Neutron and Muon Facility. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Biophysics from the Australian National University.

Devika Madalli is the Director of the Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) Centre, UGC-Inter University Centre. An eminent academic and researcher, she previously served as a Professor at the Documentation Research and Training Centre (DRTC) of the Indian Statistical Institute and as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Trento, Italy. A leading advocate for Open Science, Professor Madalli’s core expertise lies in Knowledge Organisation, Open Data Repositories, Digital Libraries, and Semantic Web technologies. A Fulbright and Erasmus Mundus fellow, Prof. Madalli has made significant contributions to global initiatives as an expert/consultant for international organisations, including UNESCO, UNFAO, OECD, and the European Commission, particularly in the areas of knowledge infrastructures and research data management. She also chairs the Open Access India Working Group.

Moderator: Kathryn Bailey is a Professor of Research Governance Partnerships at the University of Exeter and also serves as Operations Director at the Ethical Data Initiative.