RCR introduction

Texas State University is committed to fostering a culture of ethical, responsible, and compliant research. The Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) program provides training and education for students, postdoctoral researchers, faculty, and staff engaged in sponsored research.

RCR training helps researchers develop the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct research with integrity while supporting sponsor requirements established by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF), and U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA).

Register for an RCR Workshop 
Researchers may select the workshop series that best fits their schedule. Because each series consists of two workshop days, participants should carefully review the applicable dates when registering.

FY 2027 Workshop Dates

The FY 2027 RCR Workshop Series provides interactive, in-person instruction across seven core areas of responsible research conduct. Workshops are offered in a two-day format and feature Texas State faculty, research administrators, compliance professionals, and subject-matter experts.

Participants may select from four workshop series offered throughout Fall 2026 and Spring 2027. Each workshop series consists of Day 1 and Day with the curriculum collectively addressing collaboration, regulatory compliance, mentoring, research misconduct, data management and security, authorship and peer review, and the broader responsibilities of researchers to society.

Workshop Hours:  1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. Individual presentation times vary by workshop series.

Workshop SeriesDay 1Day 2Location
Series 1 • Fall 2026Friday, September 25, 2026Friday, October 2, 2026Alkek Library 441A
Series 2 • Fall 2026Friday, December 4, 2026Friday, December 11, 2026Alkek Library 441A
Series 3 • Spring 2027Friday, February 5, 2027Friday, February 12, 2027Chem/BioChem TBD
Series 4 • Spring 2027Friday, April 2, 2027Friday, April 9, 2027Chem/BioChem TBD

Workshop Session Topics (Day 1)

Expand FAQ List

  • Explore the ethical and practical challenges associated with collaborative research, professional responsibilities, and conflicts of interest. Topics include establishing roles and expectations, communicating across research teams, managing conflicts, navigating multi-institutional collaborations, and maintaining transparency throughout the research lifecycle.

    Featured presentations include:

    • Lifecycle of an Award 

    An overview of the research proposal and award lifecycle at Texas State, highlighting institutional processes and responsible practices that support successful sponsored research.

    Scheduled Presenter:

    • September 25, 2026: Alex Smith or ORSP Representative
    • February 5, 2027: Sharon Birdsong

    This presentation is offered during the above select RCR workshop dates.

    • RCR & Conflicts of Interest
      Examines ethical decision-making and the identification and management of financial, professional, and personal conflicts that may affect research objectivity or credibility.

    Scheduled Presenter:

    • December 4, 2026: Sean Rubino
    • April 2, 2027: Sean Rubino

    This presentation is offered during the above select RCR workshop dates.

    • Navigating Team Science: Collaborative Research as Responsible Conduct
      An interactive discussion of communication, roles, data sharing, authorship, intellectual property, mentoring, and conflict management within collaborative research.

    Scheduled Presenter:

    • September 25, 2026: Dr. Lauren Fuess
    • February 5, 2027: Dr. Alexander Kornienko

    This presentation is offered during the above select RCR workshop dates.

    • Collaboration with Integrity: Lessons from the National Science Foundation and Institute of Education Sciences
      Explores ethical and practical considerations associated with multi-institutional research collaborations.

    Scheduled Presenter:

    • December 4, 2026: Dr. Li Feng
    • April 2, 2027: Dr. Li Feng

    This presentation is offered during the above select RCR workshop dates.

  • Learn about the institutional and federal requirements designed to protect research participants, researchers, animals, and the research environment.

    Featured presentations include:

    • Protection of Human Subjects 

    Provides essential guidance on ethical standards and regulatory requirements for research involving human participants, including informed consent, risk minimization, Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols, and participant privacy.

    Scheduled Presenter:

    • September 25, 2026: Michelle Davis & Dr. Joni Mettler
    • February 5, 2027: Michelle Davis & Dr. Joni Mettler

    This presentation is offered during the above select RCR workshop dates.

    • Use of Animals in Research

    Provides an overview of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), federal requirements, protocol review, humane care standards, and the ethical principles governing research involving animals.

    Scheduled Presenter:

    • September 25, 2026: Maria Reaves 
    • February 5, 2027: Maria Reaves & Dr. David Rodiguez

    This presentation is offered during the above select RCR workshop dates.

    • Laboratory Safety

    Introduces physical and health hazards present in research laboratories, required training, methods for minimizing exposure to hazards, emergency response, and the role of laboratory safety in supporting effective research.

    Scheduled Presenter:

    • December 4, 2026: Chad Thomas
    • April 2, 2027: Chad Thomas

    This presentation is offered during the above select RCR workshop dates.

    • Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

    Introduces the role of the Institutional Biosafety Committee in reviewing research involving potentially hazardous biological materials. Topics include the NIH Guidelines, biosafety levels, risk assessment, protocol review, researcher training requirements, and appropriate laboratory containment practices.

    Scheduled Presenter:

    • December 4, 2026: Elsie Romano & Monica Gonzales
    • April 2, 2027: Elise Romano & Monica Gonzales

    This presentation is offered during the above select RCR workshop dates.

  • Explore effective mentoring practices and the responsibilities of mentors and mentees in fostering productive, respectful, and supportive research environments. This session addresses strategies for strengthening mentoring relationships, preventing and managing conflicts, and promoting leadership practices that support a healthy research culture.

    Scheduled Presenter:

    • September 25, 2026: Dr. Mar Huertas Pau 
    • December 4, 2026: Dr. Sean Kerwin
    • February 5, 2027: Dr. Sean Kerwin
    • April 2, 2027: Dr. Tania Betancourt

    This presentation is offered during the above select RCR workshop dates.

  • Understand the definition, scope, and consequences of research misconduct, including fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism. This session addresses how researchers can recognize potential misconduct, understand institutional and federal reporting procedures, and promote transparency, accountability, and ethical decision-making throughout the research lifecycle.

    Scheduled Presenter:

    • September 25, 2026: Dr. Jason Ramage 
    • December 4, 2026: Dr. Jason Ramage
    • February 5, 2027: Dr. Jason Ramage
    • April 2, 2027: Dr. Jason Ramage

    This presentation is offered during the above select RCR workshop dates.

Workshop Session Topics (Day 2)

Expand FAQ List

  • Explore responsible practices for collecting, managing, protecting, analyzing, retaining, and sharing research data. The session also addresses emerging considerations involving research security, cybersecurity, and technology.

    Featured presentations include:

    • Research Security & Compliance Updates

    Provides updates on federal and institutional research security and compliance expectations, including safeguarding sensitive research information, disclosure obligations, export controls, and cybersecurity.

    Scheduled Presenter:

    • October 2, 2026: Sean Rubino
    • February 12, 2027: Sean Rubino

    This presentation is offered during the above select RCR workshop dates.

    • Managing Research Data: A Guide to Good Practice

    Introduces principles of Research Data Management (RDM) and responsible practices for planning, organizing, managing, and preserving data throughout the research lifecycle.

    Scheduled Presenter:

    • October 2, 2026: Dr. Xuan Zhou
    • February 12, 2027: Dr. Xuan Zhou

    This presentation is offered during the above select RCR workshop dates.

    • Cybersecurity

    Examine practical steps researchers can take to enhance digital security, recognize common threats, and support a culture of cybersecurity within the research environment.

    Scheduled Presenter:

    • December 11, 2026: Toni Frank
    • April 9, 2027: Toni Frank

    This presentation is offered during the above select RCR workshop dates.

    Navigating Responsible AI in Research: Data Security, Integrity, and Ethical Use

    Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how researchers gather, analyze, and manage research data. However, leveraging AI tools in data acquisition and analysis introduces significant considerations regarding data security, copyright, and research integrity. This session explores how researchers can responsibly incorporate AI into their research workflows while protecting sensitive data from unauthorized exposure or model training. 

    Scheduled Presenter:

    • December 11, 2026: Alexa Hight
    • April 9, 2027: Alexa Hight

    This presentation is offered during the above select RCR workshop dates.

  • Learn about ethical standards for authorship, publication, and peer review and the responsibilities of researchers when communicating and evaluating scholarly work. This session explores responsible authorship and attribution, data integrity and publication practices, the evaluation of manuscripts and funding proposals, confidentiality in peer review, and strategies for proactively addressing authorship and peer-review concerns.

    Scheduled Presenter:

    • October 2, 2026: Dr. Karen Lewis
    • December 11, 2026: Dr. Karen Lewis
    • February 12, 2027: Dr. Karen Lewis
    • April 9, 2027: Dr. Karen Lewis

    This presentation is offered during the above select RCR workshop dates.

  • Explore the broader ethical, social, and environmental implications of scientific research and technological advancement. This session examines researchers’ responsibilities to society and encourages thoughtful consideration of the potential benefits and risks of research, including ways to maximize societal benefits while minimizing potential harms.

    Scheduled Presenter:

    • October 2, 2026: TBA
    • December 11, 2026: Dr. Craig Hanks
    • February 12, 2027: Dr. Craig Hanks
    • April 9, 2027: Dr. Craig Hanks

    This presentation is offered during the above selected RCR workshop dates

Contact Research Integrity & Compliance

Questions regarding workshops or training requirements may be directed to:
Research Integrity & Compliance
Texas State University
integrity@txstate.edu
512-245-1423

Promoting ethical, responsible, and compliant research at Texas State University.