Paper Mills & Research Misconduct: An Interdisciplinary Networking Event

Paper mills and fraudulent publications pose a critical threat to the reliability of the scientific record. Join us in June 2026 to connect with international experts. (In English)

Description

This two-day networking workshop funded by the Berlin University Alliance is designed for postdocs and early-career researchers dedicated to investigating research misconduct and the rise of "paper mills"—businesses that produce fraudulent papers at scale. Despite their impact on research quality and healthcarepatient care, awareness remains low and research in this field is often fragmented.
Invited speakers will present evidence on research misconduct and together with participants will discuss methodological gaps. Beyond the scientific exchange, the workshop offers dedicated sessions on detection methods, tortured phrases and funding opportunities. Together, we will outline a policy brief to improve transparency and accountability in scientific publishing.

Objectives

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Identify and Analyze: Understand the mechanisms of mass-produced fraud and its impact on various disciplines.
Methodological Exchange: Discuss and evaluate current methods for detecting paper mills and identifying research gaps.
Strategic Networking: Build lasting professional relationships with international peers and stakeholders in research integrity.
Career Development: Navigate funding opportunities and collaborative research proposals in the field of research misconduct.
Policy Impact: Contribute to an interdisciplinary policy brief addressing transparency and accountability in publishing.