Scientific Integrity Recognized: University Grants Top Honor
The Rosalind Franklin Prize for Scientific Integrity Celebrates Good Research Practice
The Free University of Berlin is set to honour exceptional scientists who uphold good scientific practice with the annual presentation of the Rosalind-Franklin Prize for Scientific Integrity. This year's ceremony, scheduled for November 19, 2025, will see historian and Latin America expert Dr. Karina Kriegesmann receive the prestigious award.
Established in 2025, the Rosalind-Franklin Prize is named after British biochemist Rosalind Franklin (1920-1958), who played a crucial role in deciphering the DNA structure in the early 1950s. Unfortunately, Franklin was not recognised for her contributions, while James Watson and Francis Crick received the Nobel Prize in 1962.
The prize, endowed with 2,500 euros, will be made available as free research funds for the recipient. It aims to recognise scientists who conduct transparent, traceable, and ethical research, with a strong emphasis on innovative methods to communicate scientific findings to the public.
Dr. Karina Kriegesmann, this year's recipient, designed and teaches a mandatory course on good scientific practice within the interdisciplinary master's program "Interdisciplinary Latin American Studies". Her course, which includes a multilingual, interactive wiki, has been praised for its originality and role model character.
Prof. Dr. Petra Knaus, Vice President for Research and Teaching at the Free University of Berlin, emphasises the importance of scientific integrity and good scientific practice. She states, "The Rosalind-Franklin Prize for Scientific Integrity is a testament to our commitment to research integrity and responsible science."
The Day of Good Research Practice event, where the prize is presented, takes place annually. It includes presentations, guidance documents, and other resources to foster ethical academic conduct. The event, which is open to the public, culminates in the highlight of the day – the presentation of the Rosalind-Franklin Prize.
FU scientists at all career stages can be nominated for the prize. The selection committee considers various factors, including commitment to good research practices, originality, and impact on the scientific community.
The Rosalind-Franklin Prize for Scientific Integrity is a significant step towards promoting and recognising good scientific practice at the Free University of Berlin. As the university continues to grow and evolve, it remains committed to fostering a culture of academic honesty and integrity.
[1] Information sourced from the Free University of Berlin's official website and press releases.
Science plays a crucial role in the annual presentation of the Rosalind-Franklin Prize for Scientific Integrity, which celebrates good research practice at the Free University of Berlin. Innovative methods for health-and-wellness therapies-and-treatments can benefit immensely from the ethical scientific research the prize is designed to promote.
