Fake Science
Isolated Cases or a Systemic Problem?
Ringvorlesung der Kommission UZH Interdisziplinär (UZH-i)
Doctored images, invented data, published studies that never took place – are these unfortunate but inevitable isolated cases? Or do they unveil a systemic problem in how research operates?
In this lecture series we investigate the problem of evidently fraudulent science from multiple angles – ranging from specific cases, investigative techniques and the importance of whistleblowing, epistemological considerations, the role of AI, to possible reforms in scientific publishing, institutional responsibility, and avenues for fostering research integrity.
The lecture series brings together perspectives from various fields of empirical research, such as biomedicine and psychology, with those of empirical meta-research, statistics and methodology, as well as philosophy of science and science policy. It is aimed at students and researchers from all disciplines and at a broad public audience.
Each of the biweekly events features two talks and a joint discussion.
The lecture series is held in English.
Program
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15.9.2026, 18:15: Taboo Topics We Can No Longer Avoid: Negligence, Tampering, and Fraud / Research Integrity and the Quest for Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease
Ian Hussey, University of Bern, Matthew Schrag, Vanderbilt University (online); Ort: KOL, Rämistrasse 71, 8006 Zürich; Raum: F 118
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29.9.2026, 18:15: Protecting Research Integrity – A Practitioner's View / The Conflict between Agentic AI and Open Data: Protecting Open Science from Exploitation
Wolfgang Ernst, University of Zurich, Matt Spick, University of Surrey (online); Ort: KOL, Rämistrasse 71, 8006 Zürich; Raum: F 118
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13.10.2026, 18:15: Philosophy of Scientific Malpractice / No Research Integrity without True Scientific Spirit
Hanne Andersen, University of Kopenhagen, Benoit Gaultier, University of Zurich; Ort: KOL, Rämistrasse 71, 8006 Zürich; Raum: F 118
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27.10.2026, 18:15: Phantastic Images and Where to Find Them (and How to Deal with Them) / Journals as Curators Rather than Publishers
Kim Wever, Radboud Medical Center, Nijmegen (online), Meredith Schuman, University of Zurich; Ort: KOL, Rämistrasse 71, 8006 Zürich; Raum: F 118
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10.11.2026, 18:15: Healing Science from the Inside Out: Meta-Science as a Vital Path to Public Trust / Studying the Research System: Metaresearch, Incentives, and Research Assessment Reform
Ye Sun, University of Georgia & University of Zurich, Rachel Heyard, University of Zurich; Ort: KOL, Rämistrasse 71, 8006 Zürich; Raum: F 118
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24.11.2026, 18:15: Equating Research Integrity with Good Scientific Practice – a Journey with Moving Goal-posts / Understanding the Spectrum of Questionable Research Practices Helps to Promote Research Integrity
Edwin Constable, University of Basel, Leonhard Held, University of Zurich; Ort: KOL, Rämistrasse 71, 8006 Zürich; Raum: F 118
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