Leading by example: how to empower supervisors as role models

Supervisors are considered to play a pivotal role in stimulating responsible conduct of research (RCR). Their position as supervisors of PhD candidates offers the opportunity to be good <i>role models</i> and show young researchers how to conduct research properly. In this contribution, we delineate what it means to "lead by example." We inquire how the concept of role modeling is currently applied in the context of supervision in general, and in RCR specifically, and present the perspective of empowerment as a fruitful approach to help determine what role modeling should focus on when aiming to foster a positive research culture.