International Hackathon on Research Ethics and Academic Integrity

International Hackathon on Research Ethics and Academic Integrity

📅 November 7–9, 2026
Mode: Online | Convenor: Ms. Suguna B – Co-Founder & CBO, Mastering Up

🧠 1] About the Hackathon

The International Hackathon on Research Ethics and Academic Integrity aims to promote transparency, accountability, and credibility in global research and academia. In an era of data-driven science and AI-generated content, maintaining research integrity is more critical than ever.

This hackathon provides an innovative platform for students, educators, and technologists to develop tools, frameworks, and digital systems that ensure ethical research practices—combating plagiarism, data manipulation, authorship fraud, and unethical publication behavior. Participants will collaborate to build future-ready solutions that strengthen the trustworthiness and reliability of the global research ecosystem.

💡 2] Problem Statements / Tracks

1. Plagiarism Detection Beyond Text
Problem: Current plagiarism tools fail to detect image, code, and data plagiarism.
Expected Solution: Develop an AI tool capable of detecting plagiarism in non-textual research components such as figures, datasets, or algorithms.

2. Authorship Transparency and Contribution Tracking
Problem: Misrepresentation of author contributions leads to disputes and unethical publication.
Expected Solution: Create a blockchain or metadata-based framework that verifies authorship roles and contribution authenticity in research papers.

3. Data Fabrication and Manipulation Detection
Problem: Fabricated or falsified research data threatens scientific validity.
Expected Solution: Build an automated data verification system that uses statistical patterns or AI to flag suspicious data inconsistencies.

4. Ethical AI Usage in Research
Problem: The rise of AI tools in writing and experimentation poses ethical concerns about originality.
Expected Solution: Design a digital ethics checker that ensures AI tools are used responsibly and transparently in academic research.

5. Research Misconduct Reporting Portal
Problem: Many institutions lack secure channels for reporting unethical research conduct.
Expected Solution: Develop an anonymous reporting and case management system for universities and journals to handle misconduct complaints.

6. Publication Ethics and Peer Review Integrity
Problem: Peer review bias and conflicts of interest affect research publication quality.
Expected Solution: Create a transparent, decentralized peer review system ensuring fairness, confidentiality, and reviewer accountability.

7. Data Privacy and Consent Management in Research
Problem: Participants’ data privacy is often overlooked in academic studies.
Expected Solution: Design a secure consent tracking and management platform ensuring ethical data collection and usage compliance.

8. Academic Integrity Training Platform
Problem: Many students lack awareness of ethical research practices.
Expected Solution: Build an interactive e-learning platform that educates researchers on academic ethics using gamified learning and real-world case studies.

9. Institutional Research Integrity Dashboard
Problem: Universities struggle to monitor compliance across research projects.
Expected Solution: Develop a real-time dashboard that tracks integrity metrics, misconduct reports, and ethics training completion institution-wide.

10. Individual Innovation Track
Open Innovation: Participants can propose any creative idea that addresses challenges in maintaining research ethics, academic credibility, or responsible knowledge dissemination.

🗓️ 3] Event Schedule (Three-Day)

👥 4] Eligibility & Participation Rules

• Team Size: 2–4 members

• Eligibility: Open to students, educators, and research professionals worldwide

• Code of Conduct:

  • Uphold honesty, integrity, and respect throughout the event.

  • Ensure originality in submitted work; plagiarism is strictly prohibited.

  • Collaboration is encouraged, but misrepresentation of work is not allowed.

  • The jury’s decisions are final and binding.

⚙️ 5] Evaluation Criteria

🏆 6] Prizes & Recognition

• Top 10 Ideas/Winners:
  🎖️ USD 1000 Worth of Voucher under the “Idea to Startup Scheme” by SUKISH GROUP

• Top 3 Ideas:
  Will be shared with major companies and research organizations for seed funding support, including:

  • Elsevier Research Integrity Division

  • Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)

  • UNESCO – Ethics of Science and Technology Division

  • Scopus & Clarivate Analytics

  • ResearchGate Innovations

• Additional Recognition:

  • Certificates of Participation to all participants

  • Special category – Innovation Awards during MU International Awards 2026 Series

  • Opportunity to showcase solutions at related MU International Conference

  • Selected ideas will be abstracted in MU International Journal

💰 7] Registration Section

• Indian Team of 4 Members: ₹499
  🔗 Register Here (Indian)

• International Team of 4 Members: USD 50
  🔗 Register Here (Foreigner)

• Deadline for Registration: October 31, 2026

📞 8] Contact Information

📧 Email: contact@masteringup.com
🌐 Website: www.masteringup.com/events