Preparing Future Leaders brings together people from many disciplines to discuss ethical issues society will confront through the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) program. We see responsible conduct of research as an integral value of graduate education, helping to shape the ethos of the university—not just a requirement to fulfill. Our program prepares graduate students, postdocs, and faculty to recognize ethical issues as they arise, reason correctly about these issues, formulate appropriate moral arguments, and behave in a morally responsible manner.

In accordance with the university's mission, we provide grounding in the essentials of ethical practices that complements discipline-specific training to promote problem solving and responsibility. We expect our graduates to lead their fields in ethically responsible practices as they pursue their careers beyond NC State. Our mission is to equip students with the fundamentals, educational resources, and direction to pursue a lifelong commitment to ethically responsible research.

RCR Resources for Graduate Students and Postdocs: The RCR program offers seminars several times a year that bring together scholars on important topics in ethical conduct of research with researchers at all levels from multiple disciplines. Beginning in January 2010, we will also offer a Responsible Conduct of Research Short Course that introduces participants to the fundamentals of ethical research conduct through major issues in research common to all disciplines.

RCR Resources for Faculty: The RCR program invites faculty to join in conversations about ethical research conduct at seminars offered several times a year, bringing together RCR experts and researchers from across the campus. We also offer a number of RCR teaching resources to enhance instruction in responsible conduct of research.

Preparing Future Leaders partners with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs to provide a range of professional development opportunities for postdoctoral fellows.