Ensuring the integrity of research and strengthening the bond of trust between science and society: drawing up Institut Pasteur's scientific integrity charter: affirming the rules in this area

To mark the introduction of the Institut Pasteur's scientific integrity charter and with a view to its deployment to enforce the rules in this area, the general management team wanted to send out this message to everyone:
 
“ Dear all,

The Institut Pasteur has always sought to be exemplary in the way it operates, especially when it comes to scientific integrity. Upholding research integrity and strengthening trust between science and society are constant concerns for our institution and are among the priorities of the new strategic plan.

To ensure compliance with the most stringent international standards in this area, the Institut Pasteur has undertaken a review of its rules on scientific integrity. In November 2021, Olivier Le Gall, former President of the French Council for Scientific Integrity, was asked to carry out an audit of the procedures in place at our institution. His conclusions, delivered in March 2023, included a recommendation to update the Code of Scientific Ethics, which dated from 2004. Since 2021, as this review process has been carried out at the Institut Pasteur, various standards have been developed to regulate scientific integrity, especially the role and tasks of the Scientific Integrity Officer (SIO).

In view of the recommendations of the audit and the standards that now govern scientific integrity, a Charter for Scientific Integrity has been drawn up to replace the Code of Scientific Ethics.

You can consult the charter via this link

In connection with the implementation of the new charter, three memos have also been produced to help you understand the procedures related to scientific integrity at the Institut Pasteur, especially the tasks and composition of the Scientific Integrity and Conciliation Committee (CISC) - which supports the work of the SIO - and the scientific integrity intermediaries, who are involved in training initiatives, raising awareness of the principles of scientific integrity, liaising between the CISC and campus to clarify the principles in the Charter for Scientific Integrity, and addressing any general information requests about potential breaches of scientific integrity.

Read the decision memo 1402 – Implementation of the Institut Pasteur's Charter for Scientific Integrity (in French)Read the decision memo 1403 – Procedures related to scientific integrity at the Institut Pasteur (in French)Read the decision memo 1404 – Appointment of scientific integrity intermediaries (in French)
The Charter for Scientific Integrity and the decision memos above are now in force at the Institut Pasteur. It is important for each and every employee to familiarize themselves with these documents and apply them immediately. Information sessions about the Charter for Scientific Integrity are currently being held for the various Institut Pasteur departments and will continue to be proposed over the coming months. ”
 
Institut Pasteur Management Team
 

If you have any questions about scientific integrity at the Institut Pasteur, please contact the Scientific Integrity Officer, Alain Israël (ris@pasteur.fr).