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Promoting Responsible Conduct of Research at HKU
Panel discussion to explore challenges and opportunities in the “Educational Use of AI”.
The latest HKU seminar on responsible conduct of research (RCR) took place on May 7, 2025, at the University’s Grand Hall and was attended by 288 participants.
The seminars—which have been running for 15 years and are held twice yearly (once each semester)— are mandatory for new academic staff and open to all existing academics and students across HKU to help ensure that researchers are familiar with and uphold the highest RCR standards. The sessions aim to highlight the importance of RCR, enhance understanding, introduce new ideas, and encourage ongoing discussion. Participants can share local and international experience on related issues and further strengthen their RCR knowledge.
At the seminar on May 7, Professor Alice ST Wong, Associate Vice-President (Research), welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of integrity in research, while Professor Danny Chan (Director of Education and Development for Research Integrity) introduced the key issues and areas to be discussed.
Professor Simon NM Young (Deputy Director of Education and Development for Research Integrity) considered issues related to different types of conflicts of interest. Professor Joshua WK Ho (School of Biomedical Sciences) looked at the management of research data and records. Dr De Ming Chau, a guest speaker from Universiti Putra Malaysia, discussed fostering research integrity and building trust.
A panel discussion followed on ‘Education Use for AI’, which was chaired by Dr Wai Lan Tsang (Deputy Director of Education and Development for Research Integrity). The panel comprised Professor Young and Dr Chau along with Professor Nancy WY Law (Faculty of Education) and Professor Esther WY Chan (Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology).
Parallel group discussions and wrap-up sessions enabled participants to consider a selection of case studies involving research integrity issues and discuss how they should be handled. Specific issues covered were mentorship, plagiarism, the management and use of research data, and the protection of human subjects
Research postgraduates (as well as students on taught postgraduate and undergraduate programmes) are very welcome to join future RCR seminars, with the next one planned for October 2025. Alongside the RCR seminars, HKU has implemented a number of initiatives to promote this area, including relevant policies, a funding scheme for events, and online RCR materials for self-education. Details can be found at https://www.rss.hku.hk/integrity/rcr.
Information for research postgraduate students on research integrity, including the compulsory coursework component, is available at https://gradsch.hku.hk/current_students/research_integrity.
A total of 288 participants attended the seminar, engaging in discussion on responsible research practices.
Professor Simon Young, Deputy Director of Education and Development for Research Integrity, presented insights on “Conflict of Interest”.
Professor Joshua Ho from School of Biomedical Sciences discussed best practices in “Management of Research Data and Records”.
Panellists shared perspectives on fostering the responsible use of AI in research and education.
Professor Danny Chan, Director of Education and Development for Research Integrity, introduce the key issues to frame the day’s discussions.
Participants collaborated in group discussions analysing case studies on research integrity and ethics.