Fake Science
Isolated Cases or a Systemic Problem?
Ringvorlesung UZH Interdisciplinary Commission
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.
Podcasts
The lectures of this lecture series are usually recorded and are available as podcasts a few days after the event.
Podcasts “Fake Science - Isolated Cases or a Systemic Problem?”
Program
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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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8.12.2026, 18:15: How Supervision Can Foster Good Research Practice / Panel Discussion: Fighting Scientific Misconduct
Tamarinde Haven, Tilburg University; Panel: Tamarinde Haven, Elisabeth Stark (University of Zurich), Leonhard Held (University of Zurich), Rachel Heyard (University of Zurich); Ort: KOL, Rämistrasse 71, 8006 Zürich; Raum: F 104