Game On: Join Kaizen to Score Rigor, Reproducibility & Transparency Training Points

We’re coordinating the national launch of Kaizen, a gamified online training program for academic researchers developed at University of Alabama at Birmingham. The first game focuses on Rigor, Reproducibility, and Transparency (R2T) and offers four contact hours of training credit. If you are supported by an NIH training grant such as an F, T, or K award, R2T is required training that you should include in career development plans and report on activities you have participated in for your annual progress report.

We’re pleased to provide any pre- or postdoctoral trainees and early career faculty with a painless, fun, and potentially rewarding path to score R2T training. During the game, participants will be emailed a scientific paper to read once a week. You’ll have the next six days to answer 3-5 multiple choice questions when it fits your schedule. Each game lasts one month (total of 4 papers).

You’ll be assigned to a team and be able to see your teammates digitally as you earn badges and bragging rights. For this game, we’ve picked the theme “How Sweet It Is.” Regional teams, like Frozen Custard, Tiramisu, Bananas Foster, and Key Lime Pie will compete in a dessert-themed smack down with sweet prizes.

The winning team’s members will each receive a $50 gift card for the online bakery Piece of Cake.

Kaizen is the brainchild of the Center for Clinical and Translational Science hub based at University of Alabama-Birmingham. Thanks for considering assisting UAB in expanding this resource to CTSAs and other researchers around the country.

The game begins February 17, 2020. Please register by January 31, 2020, if you’re hungry for this sweet solution to R2T training.

May the best dessert win.