Through the Ignite Integrity contest, the University's Research Integrity Office is encouraging undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to explore the topic of integrity in academics, research and life. Drawings, videos, songs or written pieces expressing why integrity is important are invited for submission by Oct. 26, 2017 at 5 p.m., and prizes will be awarded to the winning submissions at the Ignite Integrity Contest Winners Reception on Nov. 14.

The Associated Students of the University of Nevada, Reno is joining with the Research Integrity Office to promote Ignite Integrity and encourage students to think about the meaning, role and importance of integrity.

"It is important that all of us, as individuals and as a campus community, think about and express our values as a means to further cement them into how we conduct our research, scholarly activity and lives," said Nancy Moody, director of the University's Research Integrity Office. "I am so pleased to have ASUN's support for the Ignite Integrity contest."

"Whether it is in our research or creative work, integrity is what drives us to do and be our very best," said Noah Teixeira, ASUN president.

Part of the University's Research & Innovation division, the Research Integrity Office offers faculty and students the resources necessary to conduct ethical and compliant research projects, and provides tools to help avoid academic or research misconduct such as plagiarism and or false data.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine in its 2017 publication, Fostering Integrity in Research, reaffirmed the need for organizations and individuals involved in science to exemplify and encourage integrity and the core values of objectivity, honesty, openness, fairness accountability and stewardship in every step of the research process. Through the Ignite Integrity contest and other programming, to include campus presentations in early 2018, Research Integrity is embracing the opportunity to focus on these core values and on integrity.

"Academic Integrity is a code of honor and scholarship that the University of Nevada takes seriously," said Tammie Valentine, director of the University's Honors Program. "The contest sends the strong message to all members of the university community that they must act with integrity in all walks of life: as a learner, an academic, a researcher, and a professional."

In related news, the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs recently awarded a full five-year re-accreditation to the University. The rigorous accreditation affirms the commitment to protect the rights and welfare of research participants, and is a demonstration of the quality of the University's research program. Guided by the Research Integrity staff and the faculty-led Institutional Review Board, the University's Human Research Protection Program has been accredited by AAHRPP since 2006.

For more information about Research Integrity at the University of Nevada, Reno or the Ignite Integrity contest, visit unr.edu/research-integrity or contact Research Integrity Director Nancy Moody at nmoody@unr.edu. Ignite Integrity contest rules and entry form are available online at unr.edu/research-integrity/ignite-integrity-contest.