Calvin Ho et al on Open Science, Data Sharing and Solidarity: Who Benefits? (History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences)

"Open science, data sharing and solidarity: who benefits?"
Ciara Staunton, Carlos Andrés Barragán, Stefano Canali, Calvin Ho, Sabina Leonelli, Matthew Mayernik, Barbara Prainsack & Ambroise Wonkham
History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences
Published on 11 November 2021

Abstract: Research, innovation, and progress in the life sciences are increasingly contingent on access to large quantities of data. This is one of the key premises behind the “open science” movement and the global calls for fostering the sharing of personal data, datasets, and research results. This paper reports on the outcomes of discussions by the panel “Open science, data sharing and solidarity: who benefits?” held at the 2021 Biennial conference of the International Society for the History, Philosophy, and Social Studies of Biology (ISHPSSB), and hosted by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL).

Calvin Ho et al on Ethical Governance Policies on Sharing of Biological Materials for Biomedical Research (Wellcome Open Research)

"Diffusion of ethical governance policy on sharing of biological materials and related data for biomedical research"

Manjulika Vaz1, Ana G. Palmero, Wongani Nyangulu, Alpha A. Diallo, Calvin W. L. Ho 

Wellcome Open Research online
First published: 12 Nov 2019

Abstract: This paper considers how ethical norms on sharing of human biological materials and related data in international policy documents diffuse from global forums to national policies and practices. With focus on the domestic policies of four countries (i.e. Guinea, Argentina, India and Malawi), this paper seeks to explain policy diffusion by broadly applying an analytical framework wherein policy learning is one of four theories used to explain how countries learn policy norms from expert epistemic communities and international organizations. While the governance structures of all four countries broadly incorporate key ethical provisions in international policy documents on sharing of biological materials and related data for biomedical research, relative emphasis on certain provisions differ among them. In three of these countries (i.e. Guinea, Argentina and India), international ethical norms have had direct influence over their domestic governance policies. Their impact has been greatest for Guinea and Argentina, whose governance policies had to be adapted in response to the Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa and the Zika virus epidemic in Latin America. In both countries, sharing of biological materials and related data with international organisations increased significantly to meet therapeutic and research needs during the outbreaks. International organisations have had a comparatively greater role in bringing about policy change in Guinea when compared with Argentina, mainly due to the fragility of the health system in Guinea in 2014. In contrast, policy in India and in Malawi occurred under less strenuous conditions. This may account for the relatively greater emphasis on control and limits to cross-border transferability in their policies when compared with those of Guinea and Argentina. While all four countries have made significant progress in establishing accountable governance arrangements, still more needs to be done to ensure that the ethical goal of equitable sharing of benefits is realised.

HKU Law Faculty Launches New Website on Research Integrity

The University of Hong Kong adopts the highest standards of research integrity for its staff and students. The Faculty of Law is pleased to announce the launch of a new website to guide users on the rules, procedures and questions related to research integrity in the law school context. The website has many short articles on the principles of research integrity, good research practices and research misconduct. It also features case studies and video recordings of trainers who have spoken at the University of Hong Kong. The website will serve as a valuable resource for staff and students who are applying for research ethics approval or seeking guidance on important topics in research integrity such as accountability, honesty, objectivity, openness, due diligence, fairness in giving credit and nurturing students and early-career research colleagues. The website can be accessed at http://www.law.hku.hk/researchintegrity/.

Research Integrity Seminar by Lisa Webley

Professor Lisa Webley from the School of Law, University of Westminster, delivered an engaging seminar to faculty and research postgraduate students on 11 September 2015.  In her talk titled "Research as Ethical Endeavour", she explained how ethical engagement and reflection can in fact improve the quality of one's research.  She began her talk by discussing the potential role confusion when it comes to research as a lawyer and research as an academic.  Unless one is doing theoretical work, she made the point that empirical research in law is the norm.  She emphasised that academic researchers not only had obligations to research participants but also to the academic community and to "research" itself.  Ethical reflection involved understanding our role in the research, acknowledging our standpoint and our influences on participants and third parties.  Practical steps should be taken to minimise ethical concerns and familiarity with HKU's policies and procedures on research integrity is essential.  

    Professor Webley is Professor of Empirical Legal Studies and Faculty Research Director at the University of Westminster.  She is also Course Director and principal teacher in the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies' two-week intensive course on legal and empirical research methods.  Her visit to the Faculty was supported by HKU's Research Integrity Funding Scheme 2014/15.

Law Faculty Holds Research Integrity Training

Hong Kong universities are paying closer attention to the promotion of effective research ethics and integrity standards and procedures. Professor Mark Israel of the University of Western Australia (UWA) visited the Faculty of Law on 26-27 November 2014 to conduct two research integrity training sessions for Faculty members and RPG students respectively.

Professor Israel is Winthrop Professor of Law and Criminology in the Faculty of Law, UWA.  He is an expert in the areas of research ethics and integrity, and higher education and research policy.  The second edition of his book, Research Ethics and Integrity for Social Scientists (Sage) was published in October 2014.  Professor Israel outlined important principles in HKU's Policy on Research Integrity and other international standards including the Singapore Statement on Research Integrity.  Hypotheticals were used to illustrate the practical application of integrity standards.  The hypotheticals raised issues concerning conflicts of interest, plagiarism, authorship, duplicate and redundant publication (self-plagiarism), editorial ethics, grants and procurement, international collaboration and using data without ethical approval. The training sessions were supported by the University of Hong Kong's Research Integrity Funding Scheme.