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Last Wednesday, the 23rd Research Integrity Round took an unconventional turn. Instead of lectures on ethics, participants were greeted by comedian Adam Fields and expert Juanita Coble for a workshop titled ‘You Can’t Say That!’. The concept was daring yet simple: use humor to tackle topics academics often tiptoe around microaggressions, inclusivity, and the messy realities of workplace conduct.
And it worked. Through improv, cultural jokes, and interactive exercises, the trainers had the room laughing while confronting uncomfortable truths. One moment, we chuckled at the absurdities of out of the line behavior; the next, we reflected on its real impact.
Tools like traffic-light cards and ‘Microaggression Bingo’ highlighted the subjectivity of boundaries. What one person sees as harmless banter might feel like a serious violation to another. The trainers stressed the importance of “reading the room,” attending to body language, and staying sensitive to cultural context, skills essential for fostering a respectful academic environment.
The workshop was intensely hands-on. During live role-play scenarios, the trainers would freeze mid-scene and hand the reins to the audience: “What is wrong here? What could be said or done?” Suddenly, we were active problem-solvers, exploring responses from gently confronting inappropriate behavior to using humor or setting clear boundaries. The cherry on top came when we stepped into the shoes of the aggressor, reflecting on how to receive and accept feedback. Experiencing this perspective underscored how self-awareness and openness are crucial, not just to respond to harm, but to understand how our actions affect others.
Prevention was a central theme. From tips on how to act as an active bystander to the idea of “micro-affirmations”, small gestures of recognition, encouragement, or support. The trainers demonstrated how everyday actions can quietly reshape workplace culture and among the audience suggestions ‘Be the example’ was the most impactful.
If there was one area for improvement, it was addressing subtler grey areas. Most scenarios were clear-cut, leaving little room for ambiguity. Yet in academia, it’s often the offhand remark, awkward silence, or half-joke that lingers. Tackling these nuances would make an already impactful workshop even stronger.
Still, ‘You Can’t Say That!’ left a lasting impression. Eye-opening, interactive, and genuinely enjoyable, it showed that comedy can ignite the conversations academia urgently needs. The workshop also highlighted a crucial link: social safety underpins research integrity. Ethical science depends not just on data, but on how colleagues treat one another. Without psychological safety, honesty and transparency science cannot flourish.
Written by Angela Soares, PhD Council
