In January, researchers, research managers and integrity specialists gathered in Tbilisi for an intensive two-day workshop dedicated to responsible science communication. The event formed part of the Responsible Conduct of Research – Research Integrity and Ethics in Georgian Universities (ETHICS) project, an international initiative aimed at strengthening ethical research practices across Georgian higher education.
Hosted by Caucasus University and co-organised with Ilia State University, the workshop brought together Georgian partners and international collaborators, including ENAI, Masaryk University, and Charles University (Czechia). ENAI was represented by experienced experts and lecturers Dr. Irene Glendinning and prof. Shivadas Sivasubramanian. The meeting created a collaborative environment for participants to exchange experience, explore communication strategies, and jointly design an approach for effectively sharing the project’s outcomes.
Participants represented a wide cross-section of the research community, including academics, doctoral researchers, research integrity officers, institutional leaders, and early-career scholars, as well as the project’s external evaluator. This diversity of perspectives helped shape lively discussions on how research integrity and ethics can be communicated clearly and responsibly to different audiences.
Throughout the workshop, interactive group sessions encouraged participants to think practically about science communication. Discussions explored how research projects can engage with journalists, policymakers, and the broader public, while also ensuring accurate and responsible messaging about research integrity. Participants worked together to develop key messages, identify appropriate dissemination channels, and consider how the ETHICS project’s results can connect with broader research initiatives.
A “World Café” format facilitated dynamic exchanges, allowing participants to rotate between thematic discussions and collaboratively refine ideas for communication strategies. By the end of the workshop, the group had outlined the foundations of a shared science communication plan to support the visibility and long-term impact of the ETHICS project.
Experts from ENAI led several of the sessions, sharing insights from European initiatives focused on academic integrity and responsible research. Their contributions helped highlight practical approaches to communicating complex ethical issues to audiences both inside and outside academia. By strengthening both institutional frameworks and communication capacities, the ETHICS project aims to promote transparency, build public trust in research, and support a stronger culture of research integrity within Georgian universities. The workshop also laid the groundwork for a shared science communication strategy that will guide the dissemination of the ETHICS project’s results and support the promotion of research integrity across Georgian universities.
