How can we create a positive research culture – together? That’s the central question explored in the interactive theatre dialogue SCIENCE HOOPS!

How do we navigate the many demands and expectations tied to academic careers? Where does the pressure in the system really come from? What influence do researchers actually have? And what do we need from one another to move forward?

SCIENCE HOOPS invites you to step into these questions—literally. This is not your typical theatre performance. It’s an engaging mix of storytelling, reflection, and experimentation. Actors bring to life real, often confronting, situations from the academic world—scenes that will challenge you to think about what truly matters in science. And then, the real work begins. Your thoughts, questions, and concerns take centre stage.

Together, we explore the dilemmas and possibilities of academic life. You don’t just watch -you participate. The audience helps shape the direction of the story. Through dialogue, shared experiences, and scenario play, we imagine new ways forward.

SCIENCE HOOPS is created by theatre makers Mens in de Maak and the department of Ethics, Law and Medical Humanities AUMC; this performance is made possible with the support of RIOS (Centre for Research Integrity and Open Science at the VU Amsterdam) & the Netherlands Research Integrity Network (NRIN).

When: 22nd – 24th September 2025
Where: University of Ljubljana (Slovenia)

(the following text was copied from the Congress webpage)

The ENRIO 2025 Congress in Ljubljana will continue the newly established series of biennial events addressing research integrity practice (RI) and the development of responsible research in Europe. ENRIO 2025 is organised by the European Network of Research Integrity Offices (ENRIO) and University of Ljubljana (Slovenia).

Thematically, the Congress will emphasise power dynamics in research and institutional responsibility to foster an open, safe and inclusive research environment as a foundation for RI in everyday practice. In a broader global context, this also implies the recognition of fairness, equity and diversity as essential components of RI, as outlined in the Cape Town Statement of 2022. Contributions will reflect the range of challenges, as well as practical and emerging solutions for prevention and awareness raising.

The Congress is aimed at all experts in research integrity and research ethics, RI officers and practitioners, members of ethics and investigation committees, representatives of research funding organisations and sponsors, and all interested and involved in the enhancement and sustainable implementation of good RI practices and policies.

Relevant subthemes include:

• Tensions in RI training and teaching
• Different forms of discrimination and how to overcome those
• Abuse of authority and ways of prevention
• Conflicts of interests and commitment
• Challenges in collaborative and international research
• Equitable research assessment and reward systems
• Pressure in public and private research funding

Other relevant topics include:

• Responsible use of AI in research
• Responsible open science

While emphasising these topics, the Congress also invites contributions covering a broad range of RI issues and responsible research practices. Contributions can also cover case law and lessons learned from specific cases and examples for practical implementation.

Important Dates:

• Registration open: December 2024
• Call for Abstracts: January 2025
• Deadline for abstract submission: 31st March 2025
• Abstract Acceptance notice: 15th May 2025
• Early bird registration closes: 31st May 2025
• ENRIO 2025: 22nd – 24th September 2025

Registration is OPEN! Link

More information: Link

Join us on Monday, September 23, at the Roeterseiland campus for a full-day event on scientific integrity.

UvA Open Science coordinator Frans Oort will open the event, followed by talks from international experts on detecting scientific fraud, Elisabeth Bik and Ben Mol, as well as national experts on research integrity Mariëtte van den Hoven and Gerben ter Riet.

The event is free and includes lunch and networking drinks. You can choose to attend either the morning session, the afternoon session, or both, depending on your availability and interests.

Program and registration:

Scientific Integrity Symposium – University of Amsterdam (uva.nl)

About the speakers:

Elisabeth Bik is a scientific integrity consultant based in San Francisco and a member of the eLife Ethics committee. She is renowned for her expertise in image forensics for scientific papers and has identified over 4,000 potential cases of scientific misconduct, including more than 400 linked to the “tadpole paper mill”.

Ben Mol has developed methods to detect fraud in scientific publications over the past 12 years, scrutinized articles for signs of manipulated data, and raised awareness about the impact of fabricated articles on medical guidelines. His discoveries as a whistleblower are frequently highlighted on the platform Retraction Watch.

Gerben ter Riet is a clinical epidemiologist at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA) and specializes in the intersection of research integrity and quantitative research methodologies. He consults at the HvA Open Science Support Desk, and co-authored the 2015 ZonMw research program aimed at promoting responsible research practices.

Mariëtte van den Hoven chairs the executive board of the Netherlands Research Integrity Network. As an expert in professional ethics and research integrity, she leads a European consortium dedicated to developing training programs that promote responsible research practices and empower researchers to speak out on ethical issues within their fields.

This event is organized by the Open Science Community Amsterdam (OSCA) and the Student Initiative for Open Science (SIOS) and is supported by Open Science NL.

NERQ is happy to announce a Train-the-Trainer event in Brussels on 17^th – 18^th October 2024. The European Commission invites those who have just started or are planning to offer training on Research Integrity (RI), Open Science (OS), and Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR) to learn from their peers.

The NERQ community organises, therefore, a Train-the-Trainer event, where you will not only learn about the content (what is usually taught in this training) but also the didactical skills and pedagogical views will be addressed. You will also have the opportunity to meet and share experiences with other peers on the best approaches for RCR education.

Upon completion of the training, you will receive a certificate. This promises to be a pressure cooker event where you will practice many information and skills under the supervision of expert trainers.

Do you want to join this event?

Find out if you are eligible for the training:

• Are you working and travelling from an EU country?
• Do you have (at most) 3 years of experience in teaching RI, OS or RCR?
• Do you have specific learning needs (e.g. you would like to learn more about storytelling or how to learn PhD students to be more courageous in awkward conversations? Or would you like to learn more about training supervisors or undergrads?)
• Does your university plan to introduce or expand a training offer on any of the topics above to PhDs, supervisors or (under)graduate students?

Then you can apply for this training.

Your travel expenses will be fully covered, providing you with the support you need to fully engage in this training.

A certificate will be available.

Costs for participation in this training are 100€.

Be quick, as we can only accommodate a limited number of people! If you are selected, you will receive a confirmation from the organising team and a link to pay the participation fee of 100€.

On behalf of the NERQ group: Mariette vd Hoven, Julia Priess-Buchheit

Fill in the subscription form via this link: LINK

The NLRN Symposium 2024 will take place on December 6th at the UMCG, Groningen. This one-day event will bring together stakeholders from all parts of the research ecosystem to build connections, identify needs, showcase efforts and ultimately, help shaping the future of reproducibility.

Learn more here: Link

If you would like to participate in the meeting, contact Dr Rita Santos (r.santos@vu.nl) or Dr Eleni Spyrakou (espyrakou@chemeng.ntua.gr).

Note that the meeting is open only to representatives of national/regional research integrity networks/agencies/offices.