Why FoSci?

Science, a foundation of society, is being undermined.

Forensic Scientometrics, or FoSci (pronounced fō-sī), is a new field inspecting, tracking, and exposing how research and science work (or don’t). Think of it as a blend of forensic investigation — yes, like detective work — and scientometrics, which is the study of how research is shared and built upon. By defining how science should work, we can understand when it is not working or being abused.

What FoSci does is shine a light on questionable practices in the world of science, from shady authorship networks to retracted studies to disinformation campaigns. It even digs into how science can and is being misused to twist the truth.

FoSci’s mission is to uncover patterns that uphold or threaten the integrity of science itself.

Why is this important? Because public trust in science is essential — it keeps society moving forward and democracy working. Without it, misinformation and manipulation take over. By integrating knowledge from various disciplines, FoSci isn’t just about identifying problems — it’s also about developing new tools, programs, and policies to safeguard the honesty and security of science.

A Personal Note

A few things have shaped who I am today. As the youngest child with striking auburn hair in a poor, working-class family in Texas, my life was a mixture of nerves and resilience. But two pivotal events changed my path.

First, we moved to a small university town. I wasn’t “poor” anymore—just another kid in a school with professors’ children. Then, just before turning sixteen, I became an exchange student in Germany, further expanding my world again.

Reflecting on the Nazi era, my host mother warned me: “Don’t ever think it can’t happen again.” Her words have stayed with me as I see authoritarianism and fascism stirring once more.

My worldview has been shaped by a blend of American idealism, German pragmatism, and global travel and friends. These influences drive my work and my commitment to protecting the future of both science and democracy.

I now work at Digital Science as the VP, Research Integrity and Research Security.