Doing the Right Thing
Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.
- C.S. Lewis
As the complexity and speed of modern life increases – from the amount of information we consume to the number of choices and decisions we make in a day – I am increasingly seized with the notion that we as academic leaders of all disciplines need to double down on a critical foundation of our professional training: acting with integrity.
One of the most elegant definitions – courtesy of the International Centre for Academic Integrity – notes that acting with integrity begins with a commitment to six fundamental values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage, even in the face of adversity.
The vast majority of us know this intuitively. We teach it to our students and our children. We expect it of our peers and of our leaders. Individually, we strive for the highest standards of integrity in our words and deeds. Collectively, as a globally ranked Faculty of Medicine, however, we need to do more than simply strive for the highest standards, we need to actively embrace those standards and demonstrate them to the world.
In the year ahead, we are bringing the Faculty’s deep commitment to integrity into the spotlight by examining – and strengthening – our standards, our culture and our transparency. We’re doing this in the context of two important areas of activity: the conduct of research and relations with industry.
Recently, a Research Integrity Task Force I struck last winter – led by Allan Kaplan, Vice Dean Graduate Life Sciences Education – completed a report, scanning current and best practices, consulting widely, and offering a series of recommendations for improvements.
Those recommendations fall into three broad categories: Data Management, Training Initiatives and Culture of Integrity. The top priorities will be discussed at Chairs meetings over the next month. Watch for a first round of priority items to begin implementation in the academic year ahead. Let me stress a key point: the goal is not to place an undue burden on researchers but to work with our campus and TAHSN partners to ensure the highest standards of quality control, accountability and transparency.
Similarly, on the issue of relations with industry, much consultation has taken place over the last number of years, particularly in the clinical arena. Under the leadership of John Bohnen, Decanal Advisor on Clinical Affairs, and working closely with our TAHSN partners, the focus is now on taking all of that constructive work and bringing priority recommendations into practice. Again, input from Chairs will be sought and will be invaluable to this process over the coming year.
You all know that U of T Medicine and our stellar faculty have a tremendous reputation for excellence and integrity. The efforts we’re now making are about enhancing that reputation by doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. Stay tuned and I welcome your constructive feedback.
Trevor Young
Dean, Faculty of Medicine
Vice-Provost, Relations with Health Care Institutions