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Winter 2016 Professional Ethics Report
Cover Story
"Revisiting the American Statistical Association's Ethical Guidelines for Statistical Practice" by Howard Hogan
In the News
Chinese Survey Reveals Public Perceptions of Scientists
Medical Journal Editors Propose Sharing of Clinical Trial Data
Report Concludes Mitochondrial Replacement Techniques to be Ethically Permissible
Researchers Propose Using Big Data to Predict Life Expectancy, Statistically Speaking
World Conference on Research Integrity Summary Report
Resources
Exemplary Programs for Engineering Ethics Education Highlighted
Announcements
Relaunch of NAE Online Ethics Center Website
The National Academy of Engineering has relaunched the Online Ethics Center for Engineering and Science (OEC), which now encompasses ethics issues in the sciences more broadly. Resources such as case studies and bibliographies are available to help engineers, scientists, faculty, and students understand and address ethical issues in scientific and engineering practice.
Keeping the Pool Clean: Prevention and Management of Misconduct Related Retractions
Colorado State University
July 20 – 22, 2016
Fort Collins, Colorado
The Office of Research Integrity, Colorado State University, and the CSU Ethics Colloquium will host a conference on retraction, identifying fraudulent submissions, whistleblowing, retraction notices, and more. For further information and to register, visit https://vprnet.research.colostate.edu/oriconference/.
2016 Ethics Bowl Summer Workshop
Indiana University
June 24 – 26, 2016
Bloomington, IN
The Association for Practical and Professional Ethics is hosting the 2016 Ethics Bowl Summer Workshop. Sessions on coaching, judging, student voices, future directions of the Ethics Bowl, and other topics will be held. For more information, visit http://appe.indiana.edu/ethics-bowl/ethics-bowl-summer-workshop/.
2016 AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition Student Essay Competition
Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to submit papers to the AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition Essay Competition. Submissions should be in the form of an analytical or critical paper that addresses a topic at the intersection of science and human rights and raises thought-provoking questions. The winning essays will be considered for publication in Professional Ethics Report. Winners will also receive a year of membership in AAAS and a one-year subscription to Science. For more information, visit www.aaas.org/event/science-human-rights-coalition-2016-student-essay-competition.
4th National Communication Ethics & 2016 International Association for Dialogue Analysis Conference
Duquesne University
June 1 – 4, 2016
Pittsburgh, PA
Papers and panels are welcomed for the 14th National Communication Ethics and 2016 International Association for Dialogue Analysis (IADA) conferences. Papers should address one of the conference’s four content areas: (1) Dialogic Ethics; (2) Organizational Language and Dialogue; (3) Rhetoric and Dialogue; and (4) Semioethics. Send abstracts of 200 – 500 words, or completed papers of no more than 30 pages, including references to cec@duq.edu by April 30, 2016. For additional information, email cec@duq.edu or call 412-396-6446.
Engineering for You Video Contest 3: Mega Engineering
The National Academy of Engineering welcomes submissions of 1 – 2 minute videos that highlight the importance of a mega-engineering project to people and society. Mega-engineering projects address important needs of large populations, require cross-cultural and international teams, and involve multiple disciplines, including engineering. A Grand Prize of $25,000 will go to the most inspiring video. For more information and to enter the competition, visit http://www.nae.edu/e4u3/. Entries must be submitted by May 31.
10th International Conference on Applied Ethics: The Past, Present and Future of Applied Ethics
Hokkaido University
October 28 – 30, 2016
Sapporo, Japan
The Center for Applied Ethics and Philosophy invites papers on applied ethics that address philosophical, political, economic, social, and cultural issues for the 10th International Conference on Applied Ethics. Themes of interest include but are not limited to: normative ethics, engineering ethics, information ethics, moral psychology, and global ethics. Send a 150 – 300 word abstract to caep@let.hokudai.ac.jp by May 31, 2016. Presented papers may be considered for publication in the CAEP print and electronic journal. For further information, email caep@let.hokudai.ac.jp.
SoCIA 2016: An Interdisciplinary Workshop on Social and Conceptual Issues in Astrobiology
Clemson University
September 24 – 25, 2016
Clemson, SC
Many astrobiologists believe that we are on the brink of discovering definitive evidence of life beyond Earth. The SoCIA 2016 workshop is designed to foster discussion from many disciplines on the complex challenges this discovery would present. The workshop is open to researchers in any discipline. Presentations should address broad question such as “What impact would the discovery of extraterrestrial life have on human society?” and “How should we utilize space-based resources and/or colonize space, if at all?” Send abstracts of no more than 400 words to Dr. Kelly Smith at kcs@clemson.edu by June 1, 2016. For more information, visit http://kcs098.wix.com/socia.
18th International Conference on Ethics Across the Curriculum
Utah Valley University
October 6 – 8, 2016
Salt Lake City, UT
The Society for Ethics Across the Curriculum invites papers for the 18th International Conference. The theme is “Social Justice and Bioethics: The Rich, the Poor, and the Rest of Us.” Papers are invited on any area of ethics across the curriculum, but especially on welfare, genomic research, cancer treatment, and palliative care. Submissions may include full papers or abstracts of no more than 500 words and are due by August 22. For more information, visit http://www.rit.edu/cla/ethics/seac/conferences.html.
Fall 2016 Journal of Health and Human Experience Special Edition
In honor of the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare, the Journal of Health and Human Experience welcomes ideas and proposals for possible academic or commentary articles focused on the importance of the humanities for human health and healthcare. The Journal is open to possibilities for articles, commentaries, film or book reviews, or creative writing pieces. Contact Dr. Edward F. Gabriele at efgabriele@comcast.net and Dr. Bruce Boynton at bruce.boynton@gmail.com with proposals.
Big Data Special Issue on Social and Technical Trade-Offs
This special issue will highlight exciting work in machine learning, artificial intelligence, data mining, and data science that addresses the technical and social trade-offs involved in the analysis and interpretation of big data. It will also pose challenges for researchers in these fields to motivate research. What are the ethical implications of the choices involved in working with big data? Areas of focus include but are not limited to: surveillance and privacy; healthcare, medicine, and public health; criminal justice and policing; education and learning. Submissions may take the form of descriptions and evaluations of methods or trade-offs, or position papers that highlight sociotechnical challenges. Contact the Guest Editors at bd-tradeoffs@lists.datasociety.net with questions. Submit manuscripts here by September 15: http://www.liebertpub.com/manuscript/big.
