Edited by
Ruud ter Meulen, Emeritus Professor, University of Bristol, UK
Ruth Chadwick, Emerita Professor, University of Cardiff, UK
Concern for and interest in research integrity has increased significantly during recent decades, both in academic and in policy discourse. Research integrity challenges are an issue in various research fields, but notably in the life sciences. In the public realm, integrity debates are often triggered by high-visibility misconduct cases involving prominent researcher celebrities committing fraud (from the Hwang case in 2004 up to the recent Macchiarini case). Although big scandals draw a lot of attention, this thematic series aims to focus on integrity challenges emerging in daily scientific practice. Moreover, rather than on the individual dimension, we want to bring the institutional responsibilities into view: how to create a research culture or research eco-system where integrity challenges can be addressed and deliberated as part of quality care in research? Multiple actors are involved, moreover, funding agencies, university board, research managers, trainers of early stage or future researchers and journal editors.
This thematic series explores how integrity challenges are connected with transformations in the ways in which research is funded, conducted and reported. The series was launched in collaboration with the project PRINTEGER (“Promoting Integrity as an Integral Dimension of Excellence in Research”, GARRI-5-2014, 665926), but welcomes submissions from all scholars, academics and professionals who intend to contribute to the debate.
Life Sciences, Society and Policy offers authors from science, social science and the humanities a podium to discuss, compare, and assess approaches to responsible innovation, considering controversial questions and broadening the theoretical perspective.
Submission instructions
Before submitting your manuscript, please ensure you have carefully read the submission guidelines for Life Sciences, Society and Policy. The complete manuscript should be submitted through the journal submission system. To ensure that you submit to the correct thematic series please select the appropriate section in the drop-down menu upon submission. In addition, indicate within your cover letter that you wish your manuscript to be considered as part of the thematic series on series title. All submissions will undergo rigorous peer review, and accepted articles will be published within the journal as a collection.