Jaipur, September 2024.

Institute of Development Studies (IDS) Jaipur in partnership with Springer Nature and Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), Ministry of Education, Government of India, organized a panel discussion on “Research Integrity and its Role in Strengthening Social Science Research” at the IDS, Jaipur, as part of its ongoing India Research Tour 2024.

This discussion brought together thought leaders, academic experts, and policymakers to explore the urgent need to reinforce trust in scientific research, discuss the current challenges surrounding research integrity, and highlight strategies for fostering robust research practices. The panel discussion is part of Springer Nature's broader commitment to promoting ethical research practices and supporting researchers in India and globally. Key speakers on the panel included Director of IDS - Dr. Vinish Kumar Kathuria, Nick Campbell, Vice President, Academic Affairs, Springer Nature, London and Dr. Manju Singh, Professor, Dept. of Humanities and Social Sciences, MNIT, Jaipur. The panel was moderated by Mr. Venkatesh Sarvasiddhi, Managing Director, Springer Nature India Private Limited.

Venkatesh Sarvasiddhi, Managing Director of Springer Nature India Private Limited, emphasized the importance of research integrity and its relevance in today's research ecosystem: "At Springer Nature, we are committed to supporting a culture of integrity, ethics, and excellence in research. This panel discussion highlights the critical importance of maintaining the highest standards of research integrity in academia, ensuring that scientific progress remains credible and impactful. We are proud to collaborate with ICSSR, Ministry of Education and Institute of Development Studies in this significant endeavour as part of our broader Research Tour across India."

Dr. Vinish Kumar Kathuria, Director, IDSJ spoke about the institute’s commitment to fostering ethical research practices: "We are honored to collaborate with Springer Nature in hosting this pivotal discussion on building trust in science. At the Institute of Development Studies, we believe that fostering research integrity is essential for ensuring the credibility of scientific knowledge. In a country like India, where research and innovation are key drivers of societal progress, this dialogue will help reinforce ethical practices and inspire confidence in the research community. We look forward to exploring actionable strategies that can shape the future of research in India and globally."

As part of Springer Nature’s India Research Tour 2024 the global publisher with its partners from ICSSR will be visiting 25 academic institutions across India and aim to strengthen the research ecosystem in India. Focusing on regional engagement and showcasing innovative research being conducted in the country, the initiative brings thought leaders together to share insights on research trends, challenges, and solutions, further promoting India’s contributions to the global scientific community.