The ministerial decree of May 25, 2016 on postgraduate studies specifies that in France, doctoral schools “ensure that each doctoral student receives training in research ethics and scientific integrity” (article 3).

It is in this context that Sciences Po's School of Research organizes an inter-semester course on research ethics and integrity.

This compulsory course for first-year doctoral students, taught by Alain Chenu, Sciences Po's Scientific Integrity Officer (RIS) and Professor Emeritus in Sociology, Nicolas Sauger, professor of political science and director of the PROGEDO research infrastructure & Marie Scot, Associate Professor of History and Scientific Integrity Officer, will start on Thursday 20 November 2025 with:

The inaugural conference* in French or in English:

• The conference in French will be held on 20 November 2025 from 14:45 to 16:45 in room C (28, rue Saint Guillaume)
• The conference in English will be held on 20 November 2025 from 17:00 to 19:00 in room C (28, rue Saint Guillaume) 

Followed by two thematic workshops to be chosen in the eight following modules (subject to availability and depending on the the number of registrations):

• 27/11/2025 - 14h45 - 16h45 (UP 18800) 
  Risques éthiques et observation ethnographique
• 04/12/2025 - 14h45 - 16h45 (UP 18825)
  Risques éthiques et entretiens
• 11/12/2025 - 14h45 - 16h45 (UP 18828)
  Risques éthiques et archives
• 17/12/2025 - 14h45 - 16h45 (UP 18824) IN ENGLISH 
  Main Ethical Issues in Research 1
• 18/12/2025 - 14h45 - 16h45 (UP 18826) IN ENGLISH 
  Main Ethical Issues in Research 2
• 18/12/2025 - 14h45 - 16h45 (UP 18829)
  Risques éthiques et terrains sensibles 
• 18/12/2025 - 17h00 - 19h00 (UP 18827) 
  Risques éthiques et données de la recherche?
• 05/02/2026 - 14h45 - 16h45  (UP 18830) 
  Risques éthiques et objets sensibles/populations vulnérables 

Course registrations will take place online beginning/mid November, we will inform you of the date as soon as possible.

Validation of this course is based on attendance at the Inaugural Lecture and two modules, as well as completion of a self-assessment questionnaire on the ethical risks presented by your doctoral research project.

* The Inaugural Lecture will cover the following points:

• Definition and history of concepts: ethics / deontology / scientific integrity / academic freedom
• Definition of ethical risks and breaches of scientific integrity
• National and European legislative and regulatory framework
• Presentation of Sciences Po's ethics and integrity programs for doctoral students
• Presentation of training modules and validation procedures