Research Newsletter - Issue 97: Information and Updates

The new versions of the Online Research Integrity Training programmes for early stage and experienced researchers are now available on Loop and can be accessed from the research integrity training section on the DCU website.

Please note the following:

1. All new early stage researchers (graduate research students, early career postdocs, research assistants, etc.) at DCU are required to complete modules 1 to 8 of the Comprehensive programme and to keep a copy of the completion certificate as part of their personal academic documents.

2. The National Research Integrity Forum recommends that all experienced researchers who have not done a research integrity refresher programme in recent years should complete core modules 1 and 2 (as a minimum). At DCU, experienced researchers who have not done research integrity training since December 2020 are strongly advised to do modules 1 and 2 of the Concise programme and any relevant specialist modules included in the programme. 

3. These new versions of the Online Research Integrity Training programme have been extensively updated to provide relevant content on:

• Responsible research conduct, referencing the European Code of Conduct and the National Policy Statement on Ensuring Research Integrity in Ireland (2024)

• Irresponsible research practices, including emerging challenges to responsible research such as Artificial Intelligence

• New content on Artificial Intelligence, including a new video and new activity on the possibilities/problems of generative AI

• Increased coverage on paper mills and predatory journals, focusing on the increasing ‘pressure to publish’ for ECRs

• New video on open research / predatory journals

• Export controls, including export control considerations for responsible global collaboration

• Updated links, references and quizzes

• New examples and pod content throughout

4. Many funders are now asking researchers to provide evidence of research integrity training as part of their grant applications. These online courses address this requirement and allow participants to download the relevant completion certificates which should be kept to present as evidence of this training as needed.

If you require any assistance in accessing or navigating the courses, please contact Research Ethics and Integrity Officer, Dr Catherine Dean via catherine.dean@dcu.ie.

The QuID funded project titled Supporting DCU researchers to integrate AI ethically into their research activity which was run by the Research Development and Support team in conjunction with the Chair of DCU REC and the Faculty based Research Integrity Advocates finished with a Workshop on the Ethical Use of AI in Research for Ethics Reviewers on Friday 27th September 2024. The keynote speaker, Prof. Dave Lewis (TCD, ADAPT), gave an insightful presentation on The Use of AI in Research Activities: Possibilities and Pitfalls. The findings from the faculty based focus group discussions on how DCU researchers are using AI in their research  were also presented at the workshop along with the DCU Guidance on the Ethical Use of AI in Research and the DCU REC Guiding Questions for Self-Assessment of Use of AI in Research. 

Prof. Dave Lewis commended DCU’s QIO on providing funding for AI related projects in 2024 and noted that the QuID funded project is an example of best practice in engaging with researchers on how they use AI. He highlighted that  it would be important to share this experience across the sector. Plans are being made to do this.

Prof. Lewis acknowledged the importance of the focus group discussions which created a safe space in which researchers could talk about how they and others are using AI in their research. It was suggested that, now that the conversation has begun, it would be worthwhile to keep it going among researchers across the university. Over the coming months, activities will be organised across the faculties in collaboration with the Faculty based Research Integrity Advocates to continue the conversation around using AI in one’s research. We will also share interesting resources for researchers who use AI in their research through the monthly Research Newsletter. 

Check out the links below:

1. Research your AI research tools from the UK Research Integrity Office (UKRIO) website.
2. ERA Living Guidelines on the Responsible use of AI in Research.

If you identify resources that could be of interest to researchers using AI in their research, please contact Research Ethics and Integrity Officer, Dr Catherine Dean via catherine.dean@dcu.ie.

The 2025 annual work programme for Erasmus+ has been published.  This details the overall legal and financial structures, objectives, and actions of the Erasmus+ programme. The launch of the Erasmus+ call for proposals 2025 is expected in November. Detailed guidance for applicants is released at the time of the launch, through the Erasmus+ Programme Guide, the latest version of which is always published here. 

For any queries about how to apply for Erasmus+ funding for projects (i.e. any calls under Key Actions 2, 3, and the Jean Monnet Actions), contact Dr Sophie Ball, Erasmus+ Development Officer (sophie.ball@dcu.ie)

The European Research Executive Agency (REA) of the European Commission is conducting an anonymous survey to gather feedback on the added value of MSCA PhDs, in comparison to other doctoral programmes.  Your input is valuable to REA, as it will help them improve the MSCA Doctoral Networks programme which they are managing.

The survey is open to principal investigators/supervisors or PhD researchers (PhD completed or ongoing) involved in MSCA and non-MSCA funded projects.

To participate, click here and follow the instructions provided.  

Please note that it may take up to 1-2 minutes for the survey to load completely. The survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. 

The survey will remain open until 27th October 2024.

The MSCA 2024 Staff Exchanges call deadline is on 5th February 2025.  Enterprise Ireland (EI) Coordinator Support is available to applicants in academic institutions coordinating MSCA Staff Exchanges proposals.

Applications for EI Coordinator Support must be submitted to EI at least 12 weeks in advance of the call deadline. As such, the deadline for submission of applications for EI support for the 2024 Staff Exchanges call is 13th November 2024.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) runs a variety of national research Calls throughout the year.  The predominant one is the Thematic Research Call, and others include the Policy and Strategic Studies Research Call and the Ireland–New Zealand Joint Research Initiative Call.

In order to inform the development of these Calls, DAFM wishes to gather opinions, perspectives, and input from the research community.

This is a good opportunity to influence the next call, so please take a moment to access the survey here.

Message from the Irish Cancer Society regarding their Research Awards 2025:

We are so proud of the hard work of all our research community, and as part of that we want to recognise all the great work via our Research Awards 2025. The Awards will take place in person on Thursday, 20th February 2025, at 6:00pm in Dublin.

This year we are excited to announce five main categories: PhD Scholar of the Year award, Support Staff of the Year award, PPI Achievement in Research Award, and two new categories, Survivorship Project of the Year and Translational/Clinical Project of the Year.  We welcome your nominations by 6th January 2025 for all awards  by using the individual forms below.

PhD Scholar of the Year Award 2025: 

Every year, we fund outstanding PhD researchers who are the backbone of novel cancer research in Ireland and who will improve the outcome of those affected by all types of cancer. This award will showcase the fundamental role of current PhD researchers.

This year, we are looking for applications for PhD Researcher of the Year. Please note, only currently funded PhD students (must have started their PhD by August 2024) can be nominated. Applications from individuals nominating themselves are encouraged as are applications from either supervisors or from their peers. PhD students who finished their PhD at the time of nomination are still eligible to apply provided they have not graduated by February 2025. A judging panel with review the applications and the top 3 highest ranking Scholars will be picked as our finalists. The finalists will present their research in plain English on the night of the Research Awards, and our final awardee will be picked on the night.  All nominations should be submitted using the following link.

Support Staff of the Year Award 2025: 

This award is to recognise an individual who on a daily basis goes above and beyond the call of duty to support the cancer research being carried out across the country. Nominees for this category are not required to be funded by the Irish Cancer Society but support the work of those who are.

The description ‘Support Staff’ refers to any staff member, at any level who offered research support during 2024. This includes but is not limited to research assistants, technical staff, registration officers, lab managers, clinical trials staff, research nurses, data managers, administrative staff (including project/programme managers, research manager/coordinators) etc. Nominations should be from a third party who works closely with the individual being nominated. All nominations should include a short outline of the reasons why the individual nominated should receive the award.

The Irish Cancer Society Support Staff of the Year will be selected by a panel of judges and the winner will be expected to give a short presentation on their role at our awards ceremony on the 20th  of February.  All nominations should be submitted using the following link.

PPI Achievement of the Year Award 2025: 

This year, we are looking for applications for PPI Achievement of the Year. This award will focus on highlighting the important role of PPI contributor(s) working with researchers across a specific PPI research activity in 2024. PPI is a partnership, therefore, applications should be made in partnership with both PPI contributor(s) and the researchers. 

For activities with multiple PPI contributors and/or researchers, please ensure to nominate all parties involved in the partnership. It is not required that the PPI contributors on a panel be funded by the Irish Cancer Society, but the PPI achievement or activity should support the work of the researchers who are. The PPI Achievement of the Year Award will be jointly awarded to the PPI contributor(s) and the researchers, to showcase outstanding, innovative PPI partnerships in cancer research in Ireland.

Applications from individuals nominating their own PPI project are eligible and encouraged, as are applications from either researchers or PPI contributors as the lead applicant.

Please note: We understand that PPI comes in many forms, and the roles that PPI contributors/panels undertake are broad. Queries about eligibility for this award are welcomed to ppi@irishcancer.ie.

The Irish Cancer Society PPI Achievement Award will be selected by a panel of judges and the winning team (both PPI and researchers) will be expected to give a short presentation on their PPI activity at our awards ceremony on the 20th of February.

All applications should include a short outline of the reasons why their PPI activity should receive the PPI Achievement of the Year Award 2025. This should be submitted using the following link.

Survivorship Project of the Year 2025: 

This award is to recognise the contribution of an exemplar survivorship research project on the cancer research landscape in 2024. All survivorship research projects that are wholly or partly funded by the Irish Cancer Society at any stage in 2024 are eligible for the award. Nominations from the individual researcher of that project or from a third party are welcome.

The Irish Cancer Society Survivorship Project of the Year will be selected by a panel of judges and the winning project will be expected to give a short presentation on the impact of their project at our awards ceremony on the 20th of February 2025.  

This is for Survivorship projects. Please note that PhD research projects are not eligible for this award but are encouraged to apply for the PhD Researcher of the Year Award instead.

All applications should include a short outline of the reasons why their project should win the award. This should be submitted using the following link.

Translational/Clinical Project of the Year 2025: 

This award is to recognise the contribution of an exemplar translational or  clinical research project on the cancer research landscape in 2024. All translational or clinical research projects that are wholly or partly funded by the Irish Cancer Society at any stage in 2024 are eligible for the award. Nominations from the individual researcher of that project or from a third party are welcome.

The Irish Cancer Society Translational/Clinical Project of the Year will be selected by a panel of judges and the winning project will be expected to give a short presentation on the impact of their project at our awards ceremony on the 20th of February 2025.  

This is for either Translational and Clinical projects. Please note that PhD research projects are not eligible for this award but are encouraged to apply for the PhD Researcher of the Year Award instead.

All applications should include a short outline of the reasons why their project should win the award. This should be submitted using the following link.

The deadline for nominations for all of our awards is Monday, 6th January 2025, 5:00pm . Please note that nominees who are shortlisted must be available to attend the Research Awards on 20th February 2025, 6:00pm in Dublin. For any queries, please email researchadmin@irishcancer.ie.  

Please note: Anyone interested in attending our Research Awards to see the ceremony and to hear our finalists for our PhD Scholar of the Year, whether associated with a nominee/finalist or not, is welcome to attend, just let us know and we will register you for the event!