The 9th Interdisciplinary Corruption Research Network (ICRN) Forum will take place from June 12 to 14, 2025, at Central European University (CEU) in Vienna. This year, the RESPOND research consortium is proud to support the event, hosted by the CEU, one of its partner institutions.

The ICRN Forum is a key annual event that brings together researchers and practitioners from around the world to explore innovative approaches to the study of corruption, transparency, and integrity. Participants represent a wide range of disciplines, including political science, law, sociology, anthropology, economics, and psychology.

Several members of the RESPOND team will play an active role in this year’s programme. Misi Fazekas (CEU) and Nils Köbis (University of Duisburg-Essen), along with Caryn Peiffer (University of Bristol), will lead a roundtable discussion on innovative methods for researching corruption.

The roundtable “Corruption and Democracy” will feature Agnes Batory (CEU), Liz David-Barrett (University of Sussex), Monika Bauhr (University of Gothenburg), and Matthew Stephenson (Harvard Law School). Batory is a member of the RESPOND consortium, while David-Barrett serves on its Advisory Board. And the University of Gothenburg is also part of RESPOND.

Sofia Wickberg (University of Amsterdam), also a member of the consortium, will present her research on citizens’ perceptions of corruptible practices of influence and political corruption.

In addition, Fernanda Odilla (University of Bologna) and Ilona Wysmulek (ACREC), both RESPOND team members, are among the event coordinators for this year’s edition, helping to shape the programme and its delivery.

This year’s Forum will also see the launch of the Governance & Integrity Fellowship Programme, a new initiative jointly developed by GI ACE and the ICRN. The programme aims to support early-career researchers from the Global South, providing them with funding, training, mentorship, and opportunities to share their work internationally. Fellows from countries including Georgia, Kenya, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malawi, Morocco, Tanzania, and Togo will participate in a two-year programme running from June 2025 to June 2027.

The ICRN Forum continues to serve as a vital platform for interdisciplinary exchange, collaboration, and policy engagement in the field of anti-corruption. RESPOND is pleased to contribute to this important initiative and to support the next generation of researchers committed to integrity and good governance.