An important aspect of our stewardship of Berkeley Lab is a commitment to Berkeley Lab’s core values. This commitment includes the responsibility for the well-being, safety, and belonging of others in our communities as well as those that we serve. For example, the Berkeley Lab Ethics and Conduct Policy states that “all members of the Berkeley Lab community are expected to conduct their work with integrity, accountability, excellence, and respect”.
The following resources provide further information and guidance on the topic.
NIH Reporting Requirement
Effective July 13, 2022, under Notice NOT-OD-22-129, NIH “requires institutions that receive funds through a grant or cooperative agreement during fiscal year 2022 and in future years to notify the Director when individuals identified as a principal investigator or as key personnel in an NIH notice of award are removed from their position or are otherwise disciplined due to concerns about harassment, bullying, retaliation, or hostile working conditions.”
American Physical Society (APS) Ethics
APS Ethics Guide – The APS has guidelines on establishing a work environment that is fair and respectful.
APS Ethics Policy – The APS policy includes guidelines on ethical conduct, which include research misconduct and professional misconduct.
Who to Contact
Harassment or Discrimination: Laboratory members who have concerns about professional misconduct, safety and/or work environments due to harassment, bullying, retaliation, or hostile work conditions should contact Leticia Ericson, Title IX Officer at 510-486-7635 or FAIR@lbl.gov. To formally report a specific concern, of for additional information and resources, see the IDEA website.
Research Misconduct or other questions: Laboratory members should report observed, suspected, or apparent research misconduct to Joerg Heber, who is Berkeley Lab’s Research Integrity Officer (RIO) at 510-701-7280 or RIO@lbl.gov. If research misconduct is reported to another Laboratory official, the report must be forwarded to the RIO. For more information, see the Research Misconduct Policy. Contact us if you have any further questions.
Whistleblower: Individuals may report whistleblower and whistleblower retaliation allegations and other concerns, which can be anonymous. There are 3 contact options:
- Notifying their supervisor, human resources representative, or another level of management or person of authority, who will report the allegation/concern to the Laboratory’s Locally Designated Official and Office of Institutional and Integrity Manager, Theresa Triplett.
- Contacting the Locally Designated Official/OIAI Manager directly by phone or email at TATriplett@lbl.gov or 510-486-7401, or in person.
- Reports can be made through the University of California official system using the web-based form at universityofcalifornia.edu/hotline or by calling the Whistleblower Hotline 24/7 at 1-800-403-4744. Note: EthicsPoint is NOT a 911 or emergency service.