What is the CIDR?
Since the end of November 2018, the University of Orléans has had a dedicated body for the promotion of scientific integrity and research ethics. This framework is embodied by a Scientific Integrity and Research Ethics Officer, supported by a collegial body made up of three members who together form the Committee on Scientific Integrity and Research Ethics (CIDR). Together, the Officer and the CIDR represent the four major disciplinary fields practiced within our institution (social sciences; humanities, literature and languages; theoretical sciences; experimental sciences).
The University thus complies with national policy in this field and meets one of the criteria required for the Human Resources Excellence in Research (HRS4R) label.
This label, awarded by the European Commission, certifies the University of Orléans’ commitment to providing researchers with a working environment that meets European standards: transparent recruitment, favorable working conditions, career development support, and respect for scientific integrity.
What are the CIDR's missions?
The founding document adopted by the University’s governing bodies (cf. Board of Trustees meeting of 23 November 2018) highlights the spirit in which this framework was designed:
The University of Orléans is fully aware that staff members involved in research at our institution are committed to conducting scientific research with integrity, scrupulously respecting the ethical foundations of their professional practice. However, uncertainties may sometimes remain in this area (…) and it is therefore necessary for the University to establish a framework that includes procedures for advice and prevention, as well as for the handling of breaches of scientific integrity.
From this approach stem three main missions that the CIDR, led by the Scientific Integrity and Research Ethics Officer, is required to carry out:
- A mission of awareness-raising on issues related to scientific integrity and support for training activities in this field.
- A mission of mediation in conflict situations (determination of authorship prior to publication, data sharing or access, budgets and equipment, etc.) or of reminding parties of the applicable rules, particularly when the facts brought to its attention are minor (cf. Board of Trustees meeting of 23 November 2018).
- A mission of analysis and advisory support in cases of potential breaches of scientific integrity or suspicions of scientific misconduct (data fabrication, data falsification, plagiarism).
Who are the members of the CIDR at the University of Orléans?
Following approval by the Research Commission, the President of the University appointed the following individuals for a three-year term (renewable once):
As Scientific Integrity and Research Ethics Officer:
- William Marois, University Professor (PU) of Economics
As members of the CIDR:
- Nathalie Dion, Associate Professor with HDR in Law (CRJP)
- Philippe Haugeard, University Professor of French Language and Literature (POLEN)
- Magalie Ribot, University Professor (IDP)
- Caroline West, University Professor of Chemistry (ICOA)
The Scientific Integrity Officer or the Committee on Scientific Integrity and Research Ethics may be contacted by any member of the university community, or by external persons, regarding any issue involving scientific integrity. The confidential handling of cases is, of course, guaranteed.
The Committee can be reached at the following dedicated email address: CIDR@univ-orleans.fr.
The CIDR encourages everyone to consult the following documents and websites for further information on the importance and protection of scientific integrity:
- The National Charter of Ethics for the Professions of Research of 26 January 2015
- The Report and Proposals for the Implementation of the National Charter for Scientific Integrity
- The European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity (European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities)
- The Scientific Integrity “Vade Mecum” of 21 March 2017, produced by the OFIS (French Office for Scientific Integrity)
http://www.hceres.fr/ofis).
Rules on the combination of activities