Join us for the next in the Research Assessment for Ethics, Data and AI Discussion Series with partners CoARA ERIP, the Research Data Alliance, the Declaration on Research Assessment and CODATA.

Wednesday 17 December, 2025, from 12h00-13h30 CET (11h00-12h30 UTC)

The world of scholarship is undergoing a profound transformation, one in which the principles of Open Science—from open access to the sharing of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data—are becoming essential pillars of credibility. This shift is vital for reproducibility and public trust, yet it also exposes research to new risks inherent in the digital landscape.

The integration of advanced digital technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), presents a dual challenge. While AI can accelerate discovery, it also creates sophisticated avenues for academic misconduct, such as AI-assisted text plagiarism and data manipulation. Furthermore, the lack of transparency in complex AI models can introduce a ‘black box’ problem, complicating bias detection and the verification of results and fostering public mistrust in science and research.

This dynamic environment demands that Research Assessment (RA) systems evolve. It is no longer sufficient to measure research quality by traditional means; assessment should be reformed to explicitly credit researchers for open practices, ethical data management, and contributions to a healthy research culture.

Join our panel of experts as we explore questions such as how the push for openness aligns with the fight for integrity, what new policies are needed to combat AI-driven misconduct, and how assessment frameworks can be redesigned to genuinely reward responsible research and ensure that scientific findings remain trustworthy in the digital age.

The Research Assessment for Ethics, Data and AI Discussion Series is a collaborative platform uniting initiatives dedicated to advancing responsible research practices, including the CoARA ERIP Working Group. This event aims to foster an enriching dialogue among scholars, practitioners, and policymakers dedicated to navigating the complexities of this new era.

Speakers

Dr Lidía Borrell-Damián has been Secretary General of Science Europe since 2019. Previously, she worked at the European University Association, where she was Director for Research and Innovation. Her areas of expertise cover a wide range of European and global R&I policies, including business R&I and energy. Prior to that, she worked as Director of Research at Pompeu Fabra University, and as an assistant professor and visiting scholar in US and Canadian universities. She contributes to several high-profile international advisory committees, including the Global Research Council.

Dr. Francis P. Crawley is a philosopher whose extensive career is centred on the ethics, policy, and methodology of international research. His work is characterised by a deep integration of philosophical inquiry with practical governance, particularly in the realms of data-intensive and emerging technologies. He provides strategic leadership in pivotal global roles, including as Chairman of the CODATA IDPC, where he steers the development of forward-looking data and AI governance frameworks. Simultaneously, as Co-chair & Coordinator of CoARA-ERIP, he is instrumental in shaping the ethical foundations for the next generation of research assessment, particularly regarding the use of artificial intelligence and data. His work embeds the core principles of research integrity, open science, and global equity into the structures of scholarly evaluation and science publishing. Francis is dedicated to strengthening global research ecosystems to better serve the public good.

Dr. Pascal Mwakio is a recognised voice in the field of Data Ethics and its intersection with Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Big Data.

Dr. Mwakio’s work focuses on developing innovative frameworks for responsible data science, including co-authoring the “African Data Ethics Framework.” This framework advocates for a pluralistic and decolonial approach to data governance in AI and other data-driven systems, centering African voices and interdisciplinary scholarship.

Dr. Jacintha Toohey is a legal scholar with expertise in law, research ethics, integrity, and human rights, holding a PhD in Law and a Masters in Medical Law. With over 23 years of experience in international research collaborations and project management, she has provided oversight on ethics reviews, contracts, and financial matters. She is involved in capacity-building initiatives across the EU and AU, committed to strengthening institutional, national, and international mechanisms for responsible research conduct, integrity, and ethical leadership.

Moderator: Kathryn Bailey, Professor of Research Governance Partnerships, University of Exeter.