August 27, 2024, Mrs. Heba Al-kaiyat, a master’s student in the Biomedical Ethics program at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), presented a webinar titled “Exposing Wrongdoing (Whistleblowing) in the Research Environment.” The session took place from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, drawing attention to the critical role whistleblowing plays in maintaining ethical standards within academic and scientific research.
Mrs. Al-kaiyat discussed the importance of whistleblowing as a mechanism for addressing misconduct and unethical practices in research environments. She outlined the types of wrongdoing researchers may encounter, such as fabrication of data, plagiarism, or conflicts of interest, and emphasized the ethical responsibility of researchers to report such violations to maintain the integrity of the scientific community.
The webinar also explored the potential consequences of whistleblowing, including legal and professional ramifications, and how institutions can support whistleblowers by establishing clear guidelines and protections. Mrs. Al-kaiyat provided practical advice on how to navigate the challenges of exposing wrongdoing, highlighting the importance of documentation, confidentiality, and institutional policies that encourage ethical reporting.