Springer Nature, African academies launch research integrity survey

Springer Nature has joined forces with the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) and the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) to launch a major new research integrity survey. The study represents the first continent-wide investigation into how African researchers experience research integrity training and institutional support.

The primary goal of the initiative is to ensure that African perspectives actively shape global research standards. Consequently, the survey will evaluate the delivery, structure, and relevance of current integrity education across different stages of an academic career.

Addressing global evidence gaps

Maintaining research integrity is fundamental to building public trust in science and informing policy decisions. However, comprehensive data regarding integrity training in developing research ecosystems remains limited.

The new partnership combines Springer Nature’s publishing expertise with the regional leadership and networks of AAS and ASSAf. By gathering direct feedback, the partners aim to build a clearer picture of regional needs. Furthermore, the findings will help identify where support is succeeding and where structural gaps persist.

Gathering regional perspectives on scientific standards

Susan Veldsman, Scholarly Publishing Programme Manager at ASSAf, emphasised the importance of giving local researchers a direct voice. She said: “Research integrity is fundamental to maintaining confidence in science and evidence-informed decision making. We welcome the opportunity to partner with Springer Nature and the African Academy of Sciences on this important survey, which gives South African researchers an opportunity to share their experiences directly. Researchers across Africa bring unique perspectives that are essential to understanding how research integrity is supported globally. By reflecting researchers’ voices in the evidence base, the survey will help identify what support is working well, where gaps remain and what is needed at different stages of a research career. That evidence will be valuable for South Africa and can help inform training and guidance that reflects researchers’ real experiences, while contributing to a stronger culture of integrity across the research ecosystem.”

Vuyo Mliswa, Academic Affairs Manager at Springer Nature, highlighted that African research makes a significant contribution to international science. He said: “Research across Africa makes a significant contribution to global science, yet researchers’ experiences of research integrity training and support remain underrepresented in the evidence base. We’re delighted to be partnering with the African Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Science South Africa, whose leadership and networks are critical to ensuring that African researchers are represented in this work.”

Expanding an international research programme

The survey forms part of a wider series of international studies conducted by Springer Nature. Previous iterations have surveyed researchers across Australia, Brazil, China, India, Japan, the UK, and the US.

Findings from a recent white paper analysing the previous seven surveys revealed widespread disparities in global training provision. Despite these variations, researcher demand for integrity education was consistently high. Between 84 and 94 per cent of respondents supported mandatory training during their careers. Interestingly, authorship guidance emerged as the single highest non-data training priority across every surveyed country.

Strengthening African research capacity and independence

The survey aligns closely with ongoing efforts to strengthen research leadership and autonomy across the African continent. The project also complements discussions within the African Research Advisory Council.
Responses to the survey will remain strictly anonymous, with aggregate data distributed to universities, research funders, and policymakers upon completion. Ultimately, the partners hope the evidence will inform future policy development and help build sustainable research capacity.