We are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and distinguished colleague Susan Zimmerman on the 7th February 2023. Susan was a cherished member of the international research integrity community and the Governing Board of the World Conference on Research Integrity Foundation.

Susan was visionary. She was a formidable champion for the responsible conduct of research in Canada and globally. She forged new paths for ensuring the integrity of research and promoting responsible practice. Susan was instrumental in shaping our international conferences and initiatives since the World Conference on Research Integrity in Montreal in 2013. A glimpse of her contributions is captured in our Oral History Project. Susan was an advocate for trustworthy research and this made a difference. She shifted the focus from investigating research misconduct to addressing breaches of research integrity, which was a pioneering means of ensuring trust and excellence in research.

Susan was insightful and articulate. She could gracefully cut through swirls of discussion to get to the essence of ideas and arguments, and had a gift for shedding light on complex questions from various angles. At the same time, she was warm, compassionate, and witty.

Susan’s friends from the World Conference on Research Integrity community have loving memories of being with her. Strolling along Copa Cabana in Rio de Janeiro, enjoying dinner in London, sharing ideas in Hong Kong, spotting kangaroos in Canberra, riding along canals in Amsterdam. We will miss her dearly.