New confidant: Bernhard Plattner
Bernhard Plattner is the new confidant for matters relating to research integrity and good scientific practice at ETH Zurich. The computer engineering professor emeritus is taking over from environmental engineering scientist Wolfgang Kinzelbach.
At the start of February, ETH welcomed a new confidant (trusted intermediary) as the point of contact to deal with any matters relating to possible misconduct in research: Bernhard Plattner. Plattner is a computer engineering professor emeritus (D-ITET) and the successor to Wolfgang Kinzelbach, a hydromechanics professor emeritus (D-BAUG). A pioneer in computer networks and the internet, Plattner was also a co-founder of the Computer Engineering and Networks Laboratory.
Bernhard Plattner was elected in autumn 2015 at the Lecturers’ Conference (KdL). The Executive Board of ETH Zurich approved the choice in January 2016. The KdL advises the Executive Board in matters that relate to development and the teaching faculty as a whole.
Researchers are given the freedom necessary for independent research, which is the productive basis for successful science, when it fulfils the requirements of truthfulness, self criticism, transparency and fairness. The Guidelines for Research Integrity and Good Scientific Practice at ETH Zurich provide an essential framework for researchers. The confidant assists researchers in applying these guidelines.
Sources of assistance for ETH members
The confidant is the contact person to whom all ETH members can turn when they have questions or concerns relating to research integrity or good scientific practice or wish to report suspected misconduct. The confidant will offer advice and support, and is available to act as mediator in the event of conflict.
In addition to the confidant, there are also two ombudspeople (ombudspersons) at ETH Zurich, whose areas of responsibility are clearly differentiated from those of the confidant. The confidant’s remit is limited to matters that are directly related to research processes or conduct. The ombudspeople deal with matters relating to employment relationships or behaviour towards members of staff. The current ombudspeople at ETH Zurich are Wilfred van Gunsteren, professor emeritus of computer-aided chemistry (D-CHAB) and Maryvonne Landolt, a long-standing member of the executive staff at ETH Zurich.