Building on the theme on my previous post on research ethics and the consequences of misconduct, I would also like to share my personal ethics statement:
Uphold the integrity of science and academia
Academia and broader scientific community hold a substantial amount of power in our society. I personally believe that this dynamic (in which highly knowledgeable people and rigorously derived knowledge are highly regarded) is, on the whole, a societal asset. However, this power is only justified insofar as the knowledge derived from science and academia is generated ethically (see above) and is honestly presented. Research misconduct—particularly research fabrication and falsification—and non-disclosed/non-interrogated conflicts of interest both compromise the integrity of scientific and academic endeavors. Not only does this compromise the integrity of the knowledge base that future scientists/academics will build upon, it also promotes suspicion of those outside of the scientific/academic community, diminishing receptivity to the knowledge generated by science/academia and support for the endeavor as a whole.
Take-aways (in plain English):
• Don’t make stuff up
• Don’t be misleading
• Be transparent
Be a good teammate in the scientific/academic community
Although science and academia can be thought of as institutions, in the end, they are made up of people and the relationships that connect them and their ideas. Research collaborations are powerful avenues for the advancement of scientific/academic knowledge in that they mobilize the brainpower, diverse expertise, and reputations of multiple individuals to add higher-quality, better-consolidated literature the body of scientific/academic knowledge. However, the potential of these collaborations depends on the ability of their constituent individuals to work together. This requires trust among collaborators (both trust that each individual is ethical and will deliver on his/her promises). It also requires conscientious and proactive communication among the collaborative team.
Another key to being a good scientific/academic teammate is respecting the work of others in the community. Outside of a specific collaboration, this means giving proper attribution to ideas and knowledge of others through proper citation. Within the context of a collaboration, this means deciding early on (and in a fair/just manner) about lead-authorship.
Take-aways (in plain English):
• Be a trustworthy (i.e. ethical and responsible/reliable) and communicative collaborator
• Give credit where credit is due
Pursue practical and responsive lines of research that respect, seek justice for, and promote the vitality of people and the living world
My personal belief is that scientific/academic inquiry should be conducted as a service to humanity and the world in which we live. This goes beyond the scruples of the IRB to "do no harm." While I see many beautiful and wonderful things in our world, I also see much need, suffering, and destruction. I believe scientific/academic inquiry has much to offer toward the development and adaptive management of practical solutions to many of the wicked problems facing today's society... But this power will only be useful if it is directed toward the practical and if it is responsive to real-world (not ivory tower) problems and concerns.
Additionally, I believe scientists/academics need to be self-reflexive regarding the power we wield by virtue of our positions and education. We need to ever be on our guard not to use this power in a manner that disrespects the humanity and dignity of others, especially those with/about whom we conduct our research.
Furthermore, I believe it is the responsibility of all scientists/academics to become acquainted with the nature and history of the challenges facing humanity in the Anthropocene. This is not advocating that all scientists/academics seek to address directly these issues in their research, but that they be aware of our global context and to take this context into consideration if developing their own definition of what it means to "do no harm."
Lastly (and personally) as I consider the social and environmental justice concerns of the Anthropocene, I am compelled by my values and my ethics to join the search for (and walking of) pathways to a more sustainable and just future. I see environmental sustainability/regenerability and social justice as two sides of the same coin, and must seek in my work to always promote both.
Photo Credit: Pedro Fernandes (Flickr), found on https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/youth-at-the-crossroads-a-generation-with-untapped/
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Author's Note: I originally wrote the first two sections of this statement in December 2019 in fulfillment of course requirements for a research ethics seminar. I added the third element and tweaked the first two elements in composing this post.