Traditionally, responsible conduct of research (RCR) training has focused on ensuring that investigators follow industry-, agency-, and government-specific regulations to avoid the negative consequences of non-compliance. The Compliance and Research Ethics for Science and Technology (CREST) Series takes an innovative approach to RCR training by providing University of Alabama investigators with a series of enrichment opportunities that are intended to promote and maintain a culture of ethical research and innovation.
CREST Series webinars are typically one hour and are open to all UA students, faculty, and staff. All CREST Series presentations provide in-person Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training credit hours towards the National Institutes of Health (NIH) 8-hour in-person RCR training requirement.
Maximizing Research Impact: A Comprehensive Guide to Post-Award Management
- Date: February 7th, 2025
- Time: 8:30am to 3:00pm
- Format: In-Person
- Location: Alston Hall, Deshe Parlor (4th Floor)
Presentation Description: Are you new to funded research and wondering how to manage an award if you get one? Maybe you just received your first award and are wondering what’s next. Perhaps you are experienced with the grant process but simply need a refresher on some important topics related to post-award. If these statements resonate with you, then you should attend the Culverhouse Post-Award Workshop on February 7th. The workshop will feature experts from both Culverhouse and the University and will cover topics ranging from how PIs are paid from a grant to ethics and compliance issues. See the agenda below. Lastly, for those of you with NIH grants, attending this workshop will count towards your responsible conduct of research (RCR) training. All are welcome, but if you’d like to join us for breakfast and lunch, we ask that you register by January 30th.
Partner: Culverhouse College of Business
Authorship Ethics & Research Misconduct: A Conversation about the Responsible Conduct of Research
- Date: February 28, 2025
- Time: 1:00pm to 2:00pm
- Format: Webinar (Zoom Link)
Presenter: Kory Trott, JD, MPH – Director of the Office for Research Ethics and Compliance
Authorship disputes are a common source of tension between graduate students their faculty mentors. This CREST Series presentation will discuss the complexities of determining what contributions constitute a meaningful intellectual contribution that qualifies a contributor to receive authorship credit. This training will discuss the impact of authorship disputes on collaborative research relationships as well as tips for avoiding common ethical pitfalls in scientific publication.
Promoting Objectivity in Research: Identifying and Managing Conflicts of Interest
- Date: March 5, 2025
- Time: 1:00pm to 2:00pm
- Format: Webinar (Zoom Link)
The design and conduct of research and well as the reporting of research results should be free from bias caused by investigator’s financial conflicts of interest or conflicts of commitment. Lack of objectivity in research can distort results and lead to incorrect conclusions. This training provides information about the ethical issues concerning unidentified conflicts of interest and the federal, state, and local requirements for reporting interests.
Presenter: Kory Trott, JD, MPH – Director of the Office for Research Ethics and Compliance
Human Subjects Research 101: A Guide to Ethics and IRB at the University of Alabama
- Date: April 2, 2025
- Time: 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
- Format: Webinar (Zoom Link)
Human Subjects Research 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Ethics and IRB at The University of Alabama” is designed to introduce new researchers and students to the essential principles and practices of conducting ethical research involving human participants. This session will cover foundational topics such as informed consent, the role of the Institutional Review Board (IRB), and the submission and review process at UA. Participants will gain an understanding of the ethical, regulatory, and procedural aspects that guide human subjects research, ensuring that they are well-prepared to engage in responsible research practices.nterest or conflicts of commitment. Lack of objectivity in research can distort results and lead to incorrect conclusions. This training provides information about the ethical issues concerning unidentified conflicts of interest and the federal, state, and local requirements for reporting interests.
Presenters:
- Daraius Guthridge, HRPP Protocol Analyst
- Lacy Sellers, HRPP Protocol Analyst
Privacy and Research Data Protection
- Date: April 16, 2025
- Time: 3:30pm to 4:30pm
- Format: Webinar (Zoom Link)
Maintaining research data securely with the appropriate level of confidentiality, integrity, and availability is critical to ensuring a low-risk threshold for the participants, the researchers, and the University. The recent regulatory emphasis on data security, coupled with research sponsors’ increased requirements for data sharing, can present challenges for researchers. This presentation will discuss the expectations and resources for research data storage, data sharing, data retention, and data deletion.
Presenters:
- Taylor B. Anderson, Chief Information Security Officer – Office of Information Technology
- Brandon Cisco, Information System Security Manager – Office of Information Technology
Advancing AI Ethics Education Through the STRAKER Workshop
- Dates: May 10 (8:00am–5:00pm) and May 11 (8:00am–1:00pm)
- Format: In person
Join the Student Training in Responsible AI Knowledge and Ethics Research (STRAKER) workshop, a collaborative project led by researchers and educators from the University of Alabama, Virginia Tech, and Colorado School of Mines! This interactive event focuses on how to effectively teach and discuss AI ethics in educational settings. Through team-based activities and real-world case studies, participants will explore innovative approaches to fostering ethical reasoning and critical thinking about AI’s societal impacts. Ideal for educators, students, and professionals passionate about advancing responsible AI education.
Event Leadership Team
- Katherine L. Chiou; Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology
- Qin Zhu; Associate Professor in the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech
- Sandra Woodson; Teaching Professor & Department Head, Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences at the Colorado School of Mines
Space is limited. Register by March 21, 2025.