Le janvier 23, 2026
What is Scientific Integrity ?
Research Integrity
Because trust in science depends as much on the quality of discoveries as on the rigour of practices, a network of scientific integrity ambassadors has been launched as part of the FWB-CoARA project.
This initiative aims to strengthen the dissemination of integrity principles in research and to provide practical support to researchers, doctoral students and institutions, drawing on local contacts in each faculty.
Why this network ?
Scientific integrity cannot be reduced to an abstract principle or a series of regulatory injunctions. It is central to the credibility of research and the trust that society places in it.
In a context of rapid transformation in academic environments, marked by the rise of generative AI tools, pressure to be productive, increasingly complex evaluation criteria and growing expectations from funders, it is becoming essential to offer local, tangible and accessible support that can assist researchers on a daily basis, provide guidance without judgement and prevent rather than punish.
The ambassador network meets this need: it provides local support, a human connection and a forum for discussion on responsible research practices. It is part of the reforms underway at European level, notably through the CoARA Coalition, to improve the evaluation and recognition of research in terms of quality, diversity and transparency.
What is the role of ambassadors ?
- Local liaison: supporting colleagues on integrity issues, directing them to the right resources, facilitating dialogue with the relevant bodies (CIS, DPO, HR, etc.)
- Awareness-raising: promoting the principles of good scientific conduct and facilitating access to training tools
- Participation: contributing to institutional (guides, seminars, training) and inter-university initiatives
- Exchange: sharing feedback from the field to collectively enrich practices
Available tools
Ambassadors can draw on a range of resources and tools:
- International documentation on research integrity (ALLEA Code 2023, ENRIO recommendations, etc.)
- Institutional documentation from each university (doctoral regulations, doctoral supervisor charter, scientific integrity committee operating charter, etc.)
- The Mind The GAP online training course, developed by VLIR and translated into French by the universities of the FWB
- The PINDARE platform, and in particular its Scientific Integrity section, which centralises documents, tools and shared resources relating to scientific integrity within the FWB
A shared inter-university dynamic
Each university has appointed volunteer representatives from the academic and scientific community:
Université de Liège
Université de Louvain
Université Libre de Bruxelles
Université de Mons
Université de Namur
This network will meet once a year to review requests, share best practices and jointly develop future changes to this system.
