Workshop Descriptions
Understanding Authorship: Ethics, Standards, and Best Practices
Presenter: Professor Patricia Mabrouk, Chemistry, College of Science
Workshop Details:
Authorship is a cornerstone of academic integrity that carries both significant rewards and serious responsibilities. This comprehensive workshop explores the fundamental principles of scholarly authorship, from defining what qualifies someone for authorship to navigating complex ethical dilemmas. Participants will examine varying authorship standards across disciplines and publishers, understand the critical distinctions between different authorship roles, and learn to identify and prevent various forms of authorship misconduct.
Through case-based discussions and interactive scenarios, attendees will explore the balance between credit and responsibility in authorship, examine real-world examples of authorship disputes, and develop practical strategies for establishing clear authorship agreements. The workshop addresses contemporary challenges, including hyperauthorship, contributor roles taxonomy (CRediT), and the importance of ORCID identification in the evolving scholarly landscape.
This session is designed primarily for graduate students, postdocs, and early-career faculty who are beginning to navigate the complexities of scholarly publishing and collaborative research. While experienced faculty may find value in the content as a refresher, the workshop focuses on building foundational knowledge and practical skills for those newer to research. The session emphasizes proactive approaches to authorship decision-making and provides essential tools for addressing ethical challenges using evidence-based strategies and institutional resources.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Apply the CRediT taxonomy system to clearly define and document contributor roles in research publications.
- Distinguish between various authorship standards and apply the appropriate criteria for their discipline and target journals.
- Identify the different types of authorship misconduct (guest, ghost, orphan, forged, and sold authors) and recognize warning signs in collaborative research environments.
- Evaluate individual contributions to research projects using established criteria to determine appropriate authorship inclusion, order, and roles.
Navigating the Ethical Landscape of Academic Publishing: A Comprehensive Workshop
Presenter: Professor Patricia Mabrouk, Chemistry, College of Science
Workshop Details:
This virtual workshop provides researchers at all career stages with essential knowledge and practical skills for ethical academic publishing. Participants will explore the complete publication lifecycle—from initial research planning through post-publication responsibilities.
Drawing from real-world examples and case studies, this interactive session covers both foundational concepts and emerging challenges in scholarly communication. Designed for graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, early-career faculty, and research staff, attendees will learn to navigate complex ethical decisions, avoid common pitfalls like predatory journals, and understand their rights and responsibilities as authors, reviewers, and members of the research community. Experienced faculty are always welcome to attend to reinforce their knowledge and contribute to the conversation.
The workshop emphasizes proactive planning and ethical decision-making throughout the research and publication process, providing participants with actionable strategies and tools they can immediately apply to their own scholarly work.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Develop professional publication practices including ORCID registration, peer review participation, and ethical post-publication promotion.
- Evaluate journal quality and legitimacy using established metrics, databases, and warning signs to avoid predatory publications.
- Apply appropriate authorship standards (ICMJE, ACS, RSC) to determine authorship inclusion and distinguish between authorship and acknowledgment.
- Identify research misconduct issues including plagiarism, fabrication/falsification, and unacceptable authorship practices in publication contexts.
- Navigate copyright and intellectual property considerations, including permission requirements, transfer agreements, and post-publication rights.
- Assess federal funding requirements and open access mandates that impact publication choices and compliance obligations.
- Implement proper citation practices and reference management strategies to maintain research integrity and avoid misconduct.
Copyright for Academics: Navigating Rights, Responsibilities, and Compliance
Presenter: Professor Patricia Mabrouk, Chemistry, College of Science
Workshop Details:
Copyright law fundamentally shapes how academic work is created, shared, and protected in the scholarly ecosystem. This comprehensive workshop provides researchers at all career stages with essential knowledge for navigating the complex landscape of intellectual property rights in academic publishing. Participants will explore the complete copyright lifecycle from initial creation through publication and reuse, while addressing critical considerations including copyright transfer agreements, fair use principles, and emerging challenges posed by artificial intelligence.
Through practical examples and real-world scenarios, attendees will learn to evaluate different copyright frameworks, including traditional copyright, Creative Commons licensing, and work-for-hire arrangements. The workshop emphasizes the special responsibilities of corresponding authors in managing copyright decisions for research teams and provides concrete strategies for obtaining permissions, understanding licensing terms, and maintaining compliance with publisher requirements.
This interactive session addresses contemporary challenges in academic copyright including AI-generated content, predatory licensing practices, and the evolving legal landscape surrounding digital scholarship. Designed for graduate students, postdocs, and faculty across all disciplines, the workshop provides actionable tools and best practices for protecting intellectual property while facilitating legitimate academic collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Distinguish between different types of copyright protection including traditional copyright, Creative Commons licensing, public domain, and work-for-hire arrangements and their implications for academic work.
- Identify the responsibilities and legal obligations of corresponding authors in copyright management, including team communication, agreement review, and long-term compliance.
- Evaluate copyright transfer agreements and licensing terms when selecting journals and publishers, understanding the scope of rights being granted and retained.
- Apply fair use principles using the four-factor test to determine when copyrighted materials may be used without permission in educational and research contexts.
- Execute proper procedures for obtaining copyright permissions, including identifying copyright holders, using licensing systems like RightsLink, and maintaining appropriate documentation.
- Recognize appropriate attribution and citation requirements for different types of copyrighted materials, including Creative Commons works, traditional copyrighted content, and AI-generated materials.
- Assess the copyright implications of artificial intelligence tools in academic work, including current limitations on AI-generated content and evolving legal frameworks.
- Develop systematic approaches for managing copyright compliance throughout the research and publication process, including team agreements, permission tracking, and post-publication responsibilities.
Peer Review Essentials: Ethics, Standards, and Best Practices
Presenter: Prof. Patricia Mabrouk, Chemistry, College of Science
Workshop Details:
Peer review serves as the foundation of scholarly publishing, ensuring the quality and integrity of academic research while providing invaluable professional development opportunities. This virtual deep-dive workshop explores the multifaceted role of peer reviewers in maintaining scholarly standards while addressing contemporary challenges, including bias, AI integration, and evolving publication practices.
Participants will examine the peer review process from initial invitation through final recommendation, learning to navigate different review formats, assess manuscript quality objectively, and provide constructive feedback that advances scholarly discourse. The workshop addresses critical ethical considerations, including conflict of interest identification, bias recognition, confidentiality requirements, and the appropriate use of emerging technologies in review processes.
Through analysis of real review examples and discussion of common ethical challenges, attendees will develop practical skills for conducting thorough, fair, and constructive reviews. This session is designed primarily for graduate students, postdocs, and early career faculty beginning their peer review journey, though it also serves as a valuable refresher for those seeking to enhance their review skills and understanding of contemporary challenges in scholarly publishing.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Navigate contemporary challenges in peer review including AI integration, predatory journals, and maintaining integrity in an evolving scholarly landscape.
- Distinguish between different types of peer review systems (single-blind, double-blind, open review) and understand their implications for bias and fairness.
- Conduct systematic manuscript evaluations using established criteria for assessing significance, methodology, validity, and presentation quality.
- Compose constructive, objective, and actionable peer reviews that provide valuable feedback to authors while supporting editorial decision-making.
- Identify common ethical problems in peer review including bias, conflicts of interest, confidentiality breaches, and inappropriate use of AI tools.
- Recognize the professional development opportunities that peer review provides and understand pathways to editorial leadership roles.
Who do I contact for help?
For questions, email Morgan Fielding, Associate Director for Training and Learning at
m.fielding@northeastern.edu and cc: rcr@northeastern.edu