Integrity is a central aspect of academic socialization. The principles of scientific integrity defined in the ALLEA Code (2023) – reliability, honesty, respect and accountability – provide orientation for all aspects of studying, teaching and conducting research.

The project FRAME (Fostering Responsible Academic Mindsets and Ethics) addresses the question of how integrity and responsible academic practices can best be conveyed and fostered, and which factors play a crucial role in this. Universities ensure the conditions for this, as they are responsible for scientific research and teaching as well as for the development of young researchers, within the scope of their mandate.

The project involves conducting a social science study on the boundary conditions for students acting with integrity and responsibility in their studies and thesis work. The social study uses qualitative interviews and group discussions with students to investigate what academic integrity means in practice, how students develop the relevant knowledge and skills throughout their academic socialisation, and which relations, spaces and dynamics are particularly conducive to this. The results will inform the development of methods and strategies to promote responsible academic practices and establish a corresponding mindset, and establish processes that accompany the student life cycle.

The FRAME project will run for four years. Funded under the performance agreement with the Federal Ministry for Women, Science and Research (BMFWF), it is coordinated at TU Wien. The project is based at the Centre for Strategic Development in Education and is conducted in close collaboration with the Service Unit of Responsible Research Practices. It includes the development of methods, strategies, and guidelines on generative AI for teaching, as well as the development of a code of conduct for and with students. A consortium of representatives from participating universities and experts accompanies the project. The results will benefit all Austrian universities.

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