What do Marie Curie and Bertrand Russell stand for? Both have worked for a good science for society. This turns the two scientists into figureheads for the new project "Path2Integrity".

Field trials are a popular way to work scientifically. An example of autonomous driving: researchers test self-driving cars on motorways or in the city. But can a vehicle without a driver participate in public traffic without any problems? A question that is not easy to answer. A question that - if answered incorrectly or is not considered at all - can render the results of the experiment unusable. In order to prepare students for such challenges, Prof. Dr. med. Julia Prieß-Buchheit - as coordinator of the international project "Path2Integrity" - will write a book with 20 teaching and learning units together with colleagues in the next three years.

How to work scientifically is often taught at colleges and universities in the style of a lecture. At home, the students then try to imitate what they have learned. "The effect of these formats is relatively low," says Professor Prieß-Buchheit. Copying or a careless handling of test persons and new techniques are probably the most famous consequences. The project "Path2Integrity" aims for an interactive learning method. The handbook collects 20 units for different courses and departments. These will be used as a basis for discussion by the lecturers and students in the seminars on scientific work. Specifically in form of role-playing games in which, for example, the student meets his lecturer or the laboratory chief, who is pushing for results, meets the pressurized lab technician. Here the students get to know the problematic situations from different perspectives. In addition, they should become aware of the importance of adherence to standards for scientific work.

"We want it to become a matter of course for students to adhere to these standards. Good scientific work should be established from the beginning", explains project coordinator Prieß-Buchheit. She also refers to "we" as two academic staff from Coburg University, three other universities and four (educational) institutions from Poland, Spain, Denmark and Bulgaria. The textbook should be accessible to everyone from 2021 onwards. The contents are not only interesting for students, but also for pupils in grades 11 to 13 as well as for doctoral students. The 20 units are differentiated accordingly.

The project is being funded under Horizon 2020, the Framework Program for Research and Innovation of the European Union. The total budget of the project is 2.5 million euros. "Coburg University of Applied Sciences is the first Bavarian University of Applied Sciences to succeed in its application for Horizon 2020 as a project coordinator. We are very proud and would like to thank the Bavarian Research Alliance for its support", says Vice President Prof. Dr. Susanne Aileen Funke.

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