Alberta Council on Academic Integrity (ACAI) 2019-2020 Annual Report

Abstract
The Alberta Council on Academic Integrity (ACAI) was established in August, 2019. This report covers the period from the establishment of the Council in August 2019 to December 31, 2020. We provide background on the development and launch of the Council, and its activities. We also include copies of educational resources developed in print form, and a link to our first webinar. Key highlights from 2019-2020 include: • Background. We provide background on how the Council came into existence following the 2019 Canadian Symposium on Academic Integrity. • Governance, structure and activities. The Council operates with volunteers and receives no direct funding. Institutional hosts of provincial meetings provide financial and in-kind support to run the meetings. As per our draft charter, membership is institutional, not individual. Members of the Council of Post-Secondary Presidents of Alberta (COPPOA) are automatically included. Other institutions or organizations will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Leadership is provided by the Steering Committee, who operate on a coalition model of governance, with all members serving in an equal capacity. • Two (2) provincial meetings. The inaugural meeting was held on August 16, 2019, hosted by the University of Calgary. The second was held on October 25, 2019, hosted by NorQuest College, Edmonton. • Draft charter. A charter was drafted and feedback was received both in writing and through conversation at the October 2019 meeting in Edmonton. • Activities. A number of key activities of the Council are highlighted including participation in international events. • Working groups. We formed three working groups in 2020 to help us focus our efforts going forward: o Contract Cheating o Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion o Professional and Educational Development • Scholarship and knowledge mobilization. Contributions from Albertans are highlighted in this report including peer-reviewed publications, conference proceedings, book chapters and conference presentations, as well as keynote addresses, invited and edited contributions. • Impact. We highlight that since the Council was established, it has already received national coverage in the Globe and Mail and accolades from the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education. • Looking forward. We provide concrete activities and goals for 2021.
Description
Keywords
academic integrity, Alberta, Alberta Council on Academic Integrity, academic misconduct, higher education
Citation
Eaton, S. E., Boisvert, S., Hamilton, M. J., Kier, C. A., Olfert, M., Teymouri, N., & Toye, M. A. (2020). Alberta Council on Academic Integrity (ACAI) 2019-2020 Annual Report. pp. 1-54.