Authored by
Daniel R. Vasgird,
Ph.DDirector, Office of Research Integrity & ComplianceWest Virginia University
Responsible Conduct of Research conference in Bahrain and co-sponsored by the Royal University for Women, Bahrain; West Virginia University (WVU); and the Society of Research Administrators International (SRA).
Recently SRA, WVU, and the Royal University for Women, Bahrain co-sponsored a two-day workshop in Manama, Bahrain entitled, "The Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)." This workshop reviewed the nine core areas of an effective RCR program and outlined procedures for their successful implementation. The program which took place March 19-20, 2019, consisted of lectures, questions and answers, discussions, case studies, and students’ participation in all aspects of the course including providing analysis and participating in the ethical decision-making process.
Investment in science has long been a key to humanity’s well-being and economic growth, with scientists often seen as more trustworthy than other public figures. Yet, are scientists meaningfully aware of their stature in the global public’s consciousness, or of their need to maintain the trust with which they are regarded? The worldwide rise in research misconduct cases suggests not, much to the detriment of science if not dealt with. This holds true in the Middle East as in other areas in the world. Wherever prestige, wealth, and power or some combination thereof provide an incentive in science, there is always the chance that a scientist might choose a path that apparently gives more reward with less effort.
Education in the responsible conduct of research (RCR) is considered essential in the preparation of future ethical scientists, medical professionals, and engineers. This workshop prepared participants to lead their programs and institutions towards the acquisition of these critical standards.
The program presenters were Dr. Adil Shamoo of the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Dr. Daniel Vasgird of West Virginia University. Drs. Vasgird and Shamoo have created an LLC to present such programs in the future both nationally and internationally called Responsible Conduct of Research Services, LLC.
Dr. Shamoo is a professor and former chair at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore. Dr. Shamoo served as a presidential appointee member of the National Human Research Protections Advisory Committee (NHRPAC); on the Defense Health Board (DHB); and the chair of the Medical Ethics Subcommittee of the DHB. He founded in 1988 and is the Editor-in-Chief of the journal, Accountability in Research and served on the editorial board of many other journals. Dr. Shamoo has lectured over 320 times worldwide. He has written over 400 articles, books, and book chapters, including his textbook, Responsible Conduct of Research (with David Resnik), 3rd edition, 2015.
Dr. Vasgird is research integrity and compliance operations professional with a background in public, private and nonprofit environments. His former positions include Director of the Offices of Research Integrity and Compliance and Ethics and Regulatory Knowledge and Support for West Virginia University, Director of the Office for Research Compliance Services for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Director of the Office for Responsible Conduct of Research for Columbia University, and Research Compliance Officer for the City University of New York. Dr. Vasgird conceived and developed a widely-used 6 segment web-based RCR training program for the US Office of Research Integrity and Columbia University which is a foundation for numerous international RCR training programs. He was an early CITI member and sits on its Program Advisory Committee. He was a New York City Department of Health senior research scientist, IRB chair, administrator and senior public health educator as well as an Associate Professor for CUNY, SUNY Downstate Medical School and Columbia University School of Public Health. He is a member of the Distinguished Faculty Committee for the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI) and participates in NIH peer review panels dealing with research ethics. He has written and presented extensively in the areas of research ethics and human research protections.
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