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SIC About NOAA Scientific Integrity Commons

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HOW SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY IS DEFINED IN NOAA

Office of Science and Technology Policy Government-wide Definition of Scientific Integrity:
Scientific integrity is the adherence to professional practices, ethical behavior, and the principles of honesty and objectivity when conducting, managing, using the results of, and communicating about science and scientific activities. Inclusivity, transparency, and protection from inappropriate influence are hallmarks of scientific integrity.

Scientific Integrity is important in NOAA for:

Free flow of information

  • NOAA encourages publication of data & results – requires internal review of publications via Framework Guidance on Fundamental Research Communications.
  • NOAA encourages communication of results with media & public.
  • In no circumstance may any NOAA official ask or direct NOAA scientists or other employees to suppress or alter scientific findings.
  • NOAA ensures the free flow of information by maintaining integrity & traceability of data.

Maintaining/promoting excellence in the workforce

  • NOAA encourages pursuing scientific leadership positions.
  • NOAA ensures that the selection and retention of scientific employees is based on integrity, knowledge, credentials & experience.

MEET NOAA’S SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY OFFICER CYNTHIA J. DECKER, PH.D.

Dr. Decker serves as NOAA Scientific Integrity Officer (SIO), a position she has held since 2014.  In that job, she implements the procedures NOAA has established for the handling of research misconduct and interference with science in the agency.  She has handled many allegations of misconduct, including those that have affected the highest level of the agency, trained countless employees in the policy and continues to work with the agency leadership to refine the implementation.
Prior to serving as the full-time SIO, Dr. Decker was the Executive Director of the NOAA Science Advisory Board.  She served as the designated federal official for the Board, that oversaw all of their activities and ensuring coordination of NOAA input to them as well as facilitated communication between the Board and various NOAA activities.  She also oversaw the work of the five standing working groups of the Board as well as their various ad hoc task forces.  She represented the Board to other scientific federal advisory committees and some boards of the National Research Council.
Dr. Decker served as the designated federal official for the National Climate Assessment and Development Advisory Committee (NCADAC) from January 2011 – September 2014, working with the US Global Change Research Program to prepare the third National Climate Assessment, which was released in May 2014.
She received her Ph.D in Coastal Oceanography from the State University of New York at Stony Brook (Stony Brook University) and her Master’s in Zoology from Louisiana State University.  

NOAA SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY COMMITTEE

SIC members appointed by the Assistant Administrator of each Line Office to serve for a term of three years, which can be renewed.

  • Asha Mathew (asha.mathew@noaa.gov), Office of General Counsel (OGC) Train
    Gary Dreyzin (gary.dreyzin@noaa.gov), Office of General Counsel (OGC)
  • Pam Heinselman (pam.heinselman@noaa.gov), Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR)
  • Bob Kuligowski (bob.kuligowski@noaa.gov), National Environmental Satellites and Information Service (NESDIS)
  • John Ramsdell (john.ramsdell@noaa.gov), National Ocean Service (NOS)
  • Ama Ba (mamoudou.ba@noaa.gov), National Weather Service (NWS)
  • Stephanie Oakes (stephanie.oakes@noaa.gov), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
  • Alexis Gutierrez (alexis.gutierrez@noaa.gov), Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO)

About Scientific Integrity in NOAA

Learn why we practice SI and how we do it

Department of Commerce

Read about relevant DOC policies

NOAA Scientific Integrity Policy

Get the basics of the NOAA SI policy

Annual
Reports

Find our annual reports here