The second INTELLI-INGEST three-day onsite Training School, hosted by University of Birmingham (UoB), started successfully on Wednesday 8 September 2026.

Continuing the educational journey of our Doctoral Candidates (DCs), the onsite Training School offers an in-depth exploration of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI). Through a series of expert-led lectures, the network’s Principal Investigators are introducing participants to a wide range of perspectives and practices across three main areas:

• Responsible Innovation: environmental sustainability in Medical Device Research, social impact of research, tools for responsible, research and innovation, the importance of science communication and public engagement.
• Ethics in Science: the three R’s & ethical aspects related to research with human and animal material, scientific integrity, the dangers of research fraud, plagiarism and the importance of maintaining accurate and honest research data, equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Open Science: introduction to open science, open access publishing, data sharing and management, open collaboration and the importance of reproducibility, legal and ethical aspects of open science such as intellectual property protection, privacy and security, conflicts of interest and authorship.

The programme combines lectures with interactive group activities, giving the DCs the opportunity not only to learn directly from experts but also to discuss complex topics, exchange perspectives and apply their knowledge collaboratively. This balance between formal teaching and peer-to-peer learning encourages critical reflection on the responsibilities researchers carry throughout every stage of their work.

Beyond the academic programme, the in-person event has created valuable opportunities for participants to connect across institutions and disciplines. Informal conversations and shared activities are strengthening communication within the network and fostering the collaborative environment needed to address research challenges collectively and responsibly.

The Birmingham Training School left our Doctoral Candidates with the knowledge and practical awareness required to place responsibility at the heart of their research. From sustainability and scientific integrity to openness, inclusion and public engagement, the lessons explored during these three days will help them make informed decisions and develop research that is transparent, ethical and responsive to the needs of society.

🔬💙 Stay tuned!