Launch of the Research Integrity Programme 2025-26
Dublin City University (DCU) is set to kick off its annual Research Integrity Programme for DCU research students on 25th November 2025, with an introductory session aimed at fostering a culture of ethical and responsible research across the university.
The programme is a collaborative initiative developed by DCU’s Research Support Service, in partnership with the Graduate Studies Office and forms a core component of DCU’s commitment to research excellence. At the heart of the programme is a mandatory online course hosted on Loop (Epigeum), which guides participants through the entire research lifecycle, from planning and execution to dissemination. The course highlights key ethical and procedural challenges and equips researchers with the tools to navigate them responsibly.
Complementing the online module, the Graduate Studies Office coordinates a series of live virtual training sessions throughout the academic year. These sessions are delivered by DCU staff with specialised expertise in research integrity and are designed to deepen understanding through interactive discussions and real-world examples.
The first session, titled ‘Introduction to Research Integrity’, will take place on 25th November 2025 from 3.30 to 5.00 PM. Confirmed speakers include:
- Prof Sharon O’Brien, Dean of Graduate Studies (Graduate Studies Office)
- Mr Liam O’Dwyer (DCU Library)
- Dr Catherine Fassbender (DCU School of Psychology)
- Dr Catherine Dean (DCU Research Support Service)
This session will provide a foundational overview of research integrity principles, including transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct in scholarly work.
The online programme is compulsory for all Year 1 Master's by Research and PhD students and all Year 3 Professional Doctorate students, with completion required by May 1st, 2026. If you are registered on these programmes, an email will be sent to your DCU email address from the Graduate Studies Office about how to register for these sessions, or you can check out the full list of training sessions available to PGR students on the Graduate Studies Office webpage.
Upcoming sessions include:
Data Management & GDPR, January 2026, 2.30–4.00 PM
Speakers: Ms Gwen O’Connor (DCU Library), Ms Joan O’Connell, DCU Data Protection Unit (DPU), Speaker name to be confirmed, DCU Digital Technology Solutions (DTS)
Research Ethics Considerations & DCU’s Research Ethics Review Process, March 2026
Speaker: Dr Melrona Kirrane, DCU Business School and Chair of DCU Research Ethics Committee (REC)
Research Publication: Dissemination and Authorship Issues, with the Dilemma Game, April 2026
Speaker: Prof Janine Bozak, DCU Business School
These sessions are held on Zoom; sessions 1-3 are recorded. Session 4 is not recorded due to the interactive nature of the session.
DCU encourages all eligible students to engage fully with the programme to ensure their research practices align with the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. For further reading about Research Integrity at the University and National level, please visit the Graduate Studies office webpage or the Research Support Service webpage.
Should you have any questions about the Research Integrity programme, please contact pgresearchintegrity.graduatestudies@dcu.ie.