Springer Nature announces Chris Graf as new Research Integrity Director
11th October 2021
Springer Nature announces the appointment of Chris Graf, a highly experienced integrity specialist who joins the publisher as its new Research Integrity Director, based in London. In recognition of the important role that publishers play in maintaining the integrity of research, Springer Nature continues to increase its focus on ensuring sound and reliable research practice, led by its dedicated Research Integrity team (SNRIG), and supported by its increasing investment into investigative tools to address and prevent error and misconduct.
Welcoming Graf to this vital team, Alison Mitchell, Chief Journals Officer at Springer Nature said “As research output grows, it is ever more important that we have measures in place to not only ensure that what we publish stands up to the highest academic scrutiny and quality but that we also have training and awareness in place to support our research community on best practice and ethical conduct in research. Our Research Integrity team is vital to this. We are delighted to welcome Chris to Springer Nature. With his wealth of experience across the sector and his deep understanding and appreciation of the values of integrity and ethics, he is perfectly placed to drive forward the development of this critical function.”
Joining from Wiley where he held a variety of senior roles delivering on transparency, open research and publishing ethics, as Research Integrity Director for Springer Nature, Chris will be responsible for leading the continued development and implementation of research integrity strategy, policy, identification and process at Springer Nature, including the use of enhanced AI –driven technology and learning to support these goals.
With over 15 years of experience also working within COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics), including as Co-Chair, Chris will be bringing a wealth of expertise and practical knowledge to the role, which through active collaboration with editorial teams, will provide support and advice on best practice and ethical conduct in research for editors and researchers, along with evaluating editorial practices and policies.
Commenting on his appointment, Chris Graf, Research Integrity Director at Springer Nature, stated: “Research is integral to every aspect of our lives - from the development of vaccines to the implementation of Government policy, our understanding of climate change to the impact of our actions on society. The integrity, accuracy and reliability of this research needs to be as accurate and trustworthy as it can be. Working with researchers to uphold the validity of academic research and responsible conduct is crucial to this. I’m delighted to have the opportunity to bolster the important work that the Springer Nature Research Integrity Group has, and continues to do in supporting research and publication best practice, and look forward to working with the team to drive this forward.”
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Sam Sule | Communications | Springer Nature
sam.sule@springernature.com
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