Before we get too far into the new year, I wanted to take an opportunity to sneak in a few last reflections on the recent Advancing Ethical Research conference. As I prepared to leave Tennessee for Boston and AER15, I projected two goals: first and most basically, a renewal of knowledge; and second, the more lofty aspiration, to gain insight into the pragmatic relationships formed during the research process. Given the amorphous nature of both, I could argue I either achieved everything I could have hoped for, or, that [...] Read more

By the end of the post, I may call into question my own particular existence. In the meantime, though, let’s talk about research ethics (the two are related, I assure you).

As the 2015 Advancing Ethical Research (AER) Conference wound through its days, a theme of sorts began to emerge. It found its clearest statement in the conference’s final session, a discussion of the various reports and inquires that have come forth regarding the state of research ethics oversight at the University of Minnesota. The recent headlines about this—"Why the U. of Minnesota Research Scandal Threatens [...] Read more