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Reposted by Dr. Maria Zalm

Iris van Rooij 💭 @irisvanrooij.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

It should not be like this 😔 Our computers and science software should be default set up in a way that supports scientific integrity and academic autonomy. If you agree, please read, sign, and share our open letter if you have not yet. openletter.earth/open-letter-...

openletter.earth

Open Letter: Stop the Uncritical Adoption of AI Technologies in Academia

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Reposted by Dr. Maria Zalm

World Conferences on Research Integrity @wcrifoundation.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

👉 We are happy to inform you that the Athens Statement is now being shared via our website: www.wcrif.org/guidance/ath....

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Insights from @elisabethbik.bsky.social's plenary talk at #WCRI2026, where she discusses the history of her work, the hidden costs of sleuthing, and her thoughts on combatting scientific misconduct to fix the scholarly record.

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

However, journal editors often do not know the details either. As retraction notices are issued to correct the literature, NOT to punish authors, the details regarding origin and/or culpability are often unknown and irrelevant to the editorial decision and wording/taxonomy of the notice.

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

From a publisher perspective, we understand the desire (and to a certain extend the need) of readers to know more details about the exact origin, nature, and culpability pertaining to retractions (papermill or otherwise).

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

I enjoyed a great talk by Tim Kersjes at #WCRI2026. Researchers should be careful when interpreting papermill "labels" in databases; the papermill classificarion is not sufficiently standardised, and in the age of generative AI the lines between fake and just low quality are increasingly blurred.

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Reposted by Dr. Maria Zalm

Andrew Porter @retropz.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

With the World Conference on Research Integrity getting into full swing, thought I'd reshare the #ResearchIntegrity #StarterPacks go.bsky.app/5NJ9Z4N go.bsky.app/QN5upY5 Room for more #Bluesky Research Integrity people - so just let me know if you want to be added or suggest anyone #WCRI2026

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Reposted by Dr. Maria Zalm

PLOS @plos.org · 16/03/2026

Explore research‑sharing trends with our new interactive Open Science Indicators dashboard prototype. See how practices like study registration, data, code, protocol sharing and preprints vary across fields, countries, funders and organizations. 🔗 Explore #OpenScience Indicators: plos.io/3PFvT3h

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

I stayed in a twin room in a Manchester hotel which had a solid-door toilet cubicle but the sink was in the bedroom and the small shower cubicle had a glass door that opened directly into the bedroom. I remember thinking I would not have been impressed if I had to share that room with a colleague.

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

Hacking peer review accounts is more common than you think, often done by paper mills and peer-review rings so they can manipulate the peer-review process of their products/the submissions of their buddies whilst making it seem like said peer-reviewer is genuine and a respected expert in the field.

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Reposted by Dr. Maria Zalm

PLOS One @plosone.org · 11/12/2025

Open science empowers transparency and scrutiny. See how our editorial checks and review processes protect the scientific record at every stage. plos.io/3MsfiP2 #ResearchIntegrity #PublicationEthics #TrustInScience

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

Especially considering the notice explicitly states that the journal has concerns about the integrity of the published results: "In light of the above unresolved concerns that question the reliability and integrity of the reported results, the PLOS One Editors retract this article."

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

By retracting the article, the journal is already indicating that they consider the explanations impausible and/or insufficient, and that the journal consider the concerns unresolved, otherwise the article would not be retracted in the first place.

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

Realisitically speaking, if there are obvious manipulation concerns then the suggestion of misconduct would be redundant, and if the origin of the error is not immediately obvious then it would be inappropriate for editors to adjudicate on matters outside of their editorial jurisdiction.

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

Investigations into misconduct and culpability do not fall within the remit of editorial investigations. Therefore, editorial notices will not usually comment on misconduct or culpability, as obvious as the misconduct may appear sometimes, unless such concerns have been confirmed by an institution.

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

This is Stitch. As is evident from the photo, he has been up to absolutely nothing...

Photo of a male tabby cat snoozing with his head on his paws, laying on a multi-coloured knitted blanket.

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

As would be expected for a time-lapse experiment. However, it isn't expected for biological samples to remain pixel-perfect identical throughout the time-lapse.

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

Furthermore, the full figure legend states that the panel d of the left figure is 8h of exposure to 0.1 mg/ml Gly+10 mM NAC and the right panel a is 12h of exposure control, so in this case it is not possible that it represents a time-lapse of the same sample.

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

Sometimes a methodology allows for this, but it would need to be clarified in the article. However, time-lapse experiments rarely show data this similar.

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

Supposedly the left figure represents tissue exposed to glyphosate for 8 hours and the right figure represents tissue exposed to glyphosate for 12 hours, so yes, it seems that at least one of these images was used to represent a different condition than the condition it originated from.

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

Of course you do not use every single image in a publication, but when selecting the best image it should still come from the correct data set. It is inappropriate to take an image from condition A to represent condition B.

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

Experimental images are not "samples" added to beautify articles, they are key data that support results and conclusions. Therefore it is important that the image data are correct and accurately represent the obtained results, especially if the numerical results are quantified from these images.

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

That is where a full article investigation comes in. Is this the only set of overlaps or are there multiple? Were these image results quantified, and if so did this error happen before or after quantification? These are considerations editors make before deciding whether to correct, EOC, or retract.

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

Bottom right of the Left panel b and top left of the Right panel a partially overlap

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 12/07/2025

You'd be surprised how often it happens, especially to people who are more senior in their field. They sometimes get added to papers without their knowledge or consent because authors hope that having a known and respected name on the article will result in more positive peer-review.

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

Could you/your colleague please send the details of this case to pub-ethics@plos.org so that our team can investigate this matter further?

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

This position will strengthen the PLOS Publication Ethics team's individual case group; so if you enjoy scanning images for irregularities, digging into underlying data, diving into complex scientific disputes or dissecting clinical ethics concerns, this may be the role for you.

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

The PLOS Publication Ethics team is expanding further, looking for an Associate Editor to strengthen our team (permanent contract, fully remote, UK and select USA states only). See info below: UK link: job-boards.eu.greenhouse.io/plos/jobs/46... USA link: job-boards.eu.greenhouse.io/plos/jobs/46...

job-boards.eu.greenhouse.io

Associate Editor, Publication Ethics

UK- Remote

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

Or do you mean there are people who do NOT look for patterns in floor tiles 🤣

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

Lesson learned; social media and trains are not a recommended combination 😜

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

I am not certain which body would be responsible for overseeing UK institutional investigations. However, if the institute's input is inaccurate or biased, the publisher may look for additional external input, such as the funding body. Editors may also choose to reject the manuscript or post an EOC.

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

Publication Ethics Specialist: this role is an editorial operations position supporting the needs of the PLOS Publication Ethics team. Do you have prior experience working in editorial operations and looking for a new challenge? Do you have a good eye for detail? This role may be a good fit for you.

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

This PLOS Publication Ethics Associate Editor position is a great opportunity for early career editors, academics, or recent post-graduates to join an established publication ethics team, and help PLOS investigate and resolve concerns raised with individual articles submitted or published with PLOS.

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

Bump in the track, let's try again! Associate Editor: are you the kind of person who spots repeating patterns in published figures (or kitchen tiles)? Do you enjoy digging through underlying datasets? Do you care about the integrity of the scientific record? This may be the role for you!

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

Associate Editor: are you the kind of person who spots repeating patterns in floor tiles?

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

The PLOS Publication Ethics team is expanding further, currently recruiting an Associate Editor (editorial) and a Specialist (editorial support). 12 mo Fixed Term contracts, UK based candidates only. Follow this link or my thread below for more information job-boards.eu.greenhouse.io/plos

job-boards.eu.greenhouse.io

Public Library of Science

<p>Thank you for your interest in careers at PLOS. Our Talent Acquisition team strives to create a positive and equitable interview experience for all candidates. We look forward to receiving your app...

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

Should you have any concerns about unethical behaviour by PLOS contributors (incl. members of PLOS' editorial board), please reach out to PLOS' publication ethics team directly by emailing pub-ethics@plos.org

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

That being said, journals do not have the jurisdiction to adjudicate on authorship disputes, as we do not have access to lab/machine records etc required to verify who actually did the work, and so authorship disputes are usually deferred to the institute or funding body for further investigation.

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

Our team is divided into people handling individual article cases vs people handling systematic manipulation of the publishing process cases. Authorship disputes usually fall within the realm of the former group, whereas this role recruits for the latter group.

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

Publication Ethics - Senior Editor, Team Manager (fixed term contract): This role will join the management team for the Publication Ethics team’s standard case group, which primarily addresses a broad array of integrity issues that typically involve individual articles or research groups.

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

Publication Ethics - Senior Editor, Team Manager (permanent contract): This role will support the Publication Ethics team’s large-scale case group, which primarily addresses issues involving potential manipulation of the publication process (paper mills, peer review integrity concerns, etc.).

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

My team is recruiting two Senior Editor, Team Managers. This is a unique opportunity to join an enthusiastic and highly driven team dedicated to upholding publication ethics standards in PLOS submissions and published articles. UK and USA (select states) only. job-boards.eu.greenhouse.io/plos

job-boards.eu.greenhouse.io

Public Library of Science

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

One of those rare days when two of my biggest passions (publication ethics and board games) collide. My copy of The Publish or Perish Game just arrived 🥳 #PublishOrPerish #BoardGames

Image showing the "Publish or Perish" party game and expansion packs "The full campus meltdown trilogy" as well as "Incomplete Submission" part 1 and 2.

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Reposted by Dr. Maria Zalm

Nonia Pariente @npariente.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

Vacciness have saved > 6 lives/min in the last 50 years, yet their importance & safety is often questioned “We should not allow misinformation, disinformation, ignorance and defunding to hinder vaccine development, deployment and use” My latest @plosbiology.org journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...

journals.plos.org

Vaccines work… and do not cause autism

Vaccines have saved millions of lives, yet their importance and safety is repeatedly in question. W e cannot let disinformation campaigns get in the way of global public health – it is not time to def...

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

...very careful editorial oversight/regulation however to ensure there is no text that could be considered as libel, which could put the sleuth (and potentially the journal) at risk of legal repercussions.

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

Ideally I'd like to see a way to link sleuting activity to people's ORCID, similarly to the way regular peer-review activity can be linked. Or maybe to attach a sleuthing report to an editorial notice in the same way a peer-review report can be attached to an article. Such a report would require...

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

...to collaborate with in the future. This was especially the case for early- and mid-career researchers invited to review articles by more senior or established research groups. Many of them quoting otential risk of loss of career opportunities as a reason to turn down reviewer invitations.

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Dr. Maria Zalm @drmariazalm.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

Although in an ideal world all peer-review would be open, my previous experiences working at an open-peer-review only journal showed that it is frequently much harder to find peer-reviewers, because many researchers do not want their name attached to negative reviews for researchers they may want...

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