Final Symposium: Reproducibility and replicability in science

Symposium

01-06-2022

Paleis der Academiën, Brussel

Reproducibility and replicability in science

Activity in the context of the Thinkers' cycle 

On October 18, 2018, Nature published a special issue about Challenges in irreproducible research: “Science moves forward by corroboration – when researchers verify others' results. Science advances faster when people waste less time pursuing false leads. No research paper can ever be considered to be the final word, but there are too many that do not stand up to further study. There is growing alarm about results that cannot be reproduced. Explanations include increased levels of scrutiny, complexity of experiments and statistics, and pressures on researchers. Journals, scientists, institutions and funders all have a part in tackling reproducibility.”

The KVAB permanent reflection group on Responsible Research and Innovation and Science Ethics (RRI) initiated a Thinkers-in-residence project on the problem of reproducibility and replicability. Sabina Leonelli and Stephan Landowsky took on a central role as 'thinkers'. They have applied a broad approach:  covering the entire collection of the scientific disciplines, each with their own specificity.  Transparency and openness of the data, the methods of processing, better statistical processing and openness of the software can certainly contribute to the problem. In addition, successful approaches from hard-hit domains such as psychology can inspire other domains...

Watch the keynotes:

 

Programme: 

01-06-2022

1 Welcome and opening words 09:30 - 09:45
Christoffel Waelkens, Vice-President KVAB (speaker)
Joos Vandewalle, KVAB (speaker)
2 The Many Faces of Reproducibility 09:45 - 10:30
Sabina Leonelli, Thinker-in-Residence (speaker)
3 Break-out sessions 10:30 - 11:15

Discussion on reproducibility across disciplines and professional roles. How do different participants in the research landscape (research, administration and technical support) understand and implement reproducibility?

4 Coffee break 11:15 - 11:35
5 Report from break-outs 11:35 - 12:05
6 Panel discussion I – Quality Assessment in Research 12:05 - 12:45
Christophe Vandeviver, UGent, Criminology researcher, RDM & OS champion, YA co-chair (panel member)
Roosmarijn Vandenbroucke, UGent, VIB, Neuroinflammation, YA (panel member)
Mieke Van Houtte, UGent, member Steering committee (panel member)
Stephanie Meirmans, Amsterdam UMC (panel member)
Stephan Lewandowsky, Thinker-in-residence (moderator)
7 Lunch break 12:45 - 13:45
8 Transparent But Not Naked: Avoiding Weaponization of Reproducibility 13:45 - 14:30
Stephan Lewandowsky, Thinker-in-Residence (speaker)
9 Break-out sessions 14:30 - 15:15

Reforming institutional structures to support reproducibility. What are the right incentives to support different interests and views on reproducibility?

10 Coffee break 15:15 - 15:35
11 Report from break-outs 15:35 - 16:05
12 Panel discussion II – Moving Forward: Making Reproducibility Talk Unnecessary 16:05 - 16:45
Olivier Boehme, FWO (panel member)
Nele Vandersickel, UGent, SMARTHEART, YA (panel member)
Giovanni Samaey, KU Leuven, Scientific Computing Research Group NUMA (panel member)
Geert Molenberghs, UHasselt, member steerco, CWI President, Biostatistics (panel member)
Sabina Leonelli, Thinker-in-residence (moderator)
13 Conclusions by the Thinkers 16:45 - 17:15
14 Closing by the coordinator 17:15 - 17:25
Patrick Onghena, KVAB (speaker)
15 Reception 17:25 - 18:25