The Office of the Ombudsperson for Academic Ethics and Procedures invites members of the academic community to save the date for an important upcoming event – the Netherlands Research Integrity Network (NRIN) Annual Symposium, which will take place on 17 October 2025 at Wereldmuseum Leiden, the Netherlands.
This year’s theme is: “Research Integrity in a Disruptive Academic Context: from AI to Academic Freedom.”

The symposium will address key topics such as academic freedom, trust in science, the impact of artificial intelligence, and the implications for research integrity. The event will feature interactive presentations, hands-on workshops, engaging discussions, and networking opportunities.

Participation is free of charge and the event will be held in person, but prior registration is required. Registration opens next week.

More information and the full program: https://nrin.nl/nrin-symposium-2025/

On June 16–17, the 24th “Science and Society” conference titled “In Science We Trust?” was held in Heidelberg, Germany, by the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). The event brought together more than 150 participants from across Europe – scientists, policymakers, ethics experts, and members of the academic community. The conference focused on exploring public trust in science in the context of information overload, misinformation, and rapid technological change. 

Dr. Reda Cimmperman, the Ombudsperson for Academic Ethics and Procedures of the Republic of Lithuania, presented the findings of a national survey entitled “Survey of the Lithuanian Academic Community on Ethical Experiences: Attitudes and Opinions.” The survey gathered insights from 725 respondents on topics such as trust in science, the use of artificial intelligence in academia, violations of academic ethics, and institutional reliability. 

Dr. Cimmperman noted: “Most people still trust science – particularly individual researchers more than institutions – and state-funded research is seen as more trustworthy than private research. Attitudes toward artificial intelligence remain mixed: those who trust AI tend to support students using tools like ChatGPT, while others continue to question the ethical implications.” 

EMBL is one of Europe’s leading research institutions in the life sciences, organizing cutting-edge research, training, conferences, and science communication initiatives. The annual Science and Society conference provides a critical platform for discussing how science impacts society and the responsibilities scientists and institutions bear in strengthening public trust in science. 

Survey report in Lithuanian and English:
https://etikostarnyba.lt/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Lietuvos-akademines-bendruomenes-apklausa.pdf 

More about the conference:
https://www.embl.org/about/info/course-and-conference-office/events/sns25-01/ 

Photos from the Office’s archive

The Office’s Adviser, Senior Analyst Dr. Rima Sinickė, is participating in the European Conference on Ethics and Integrity in Academia (ECEIA25), taking place on 16–19 June at Uppsala University in Sweden, with a poster presentation titled “Academia’s View on Trust in Science and AI: Findings from a Lithuanian National Survey”.

Participants of the conference are attending presentations and discussions on topics such as AI ethics in education and research, publication ethics, and policy development in academia.

The conference is organized by the European Network for Academic Integrity (ENAI) and the Centre for Research Ethics & Bioethics at Uppsala University.

More information is available here: https://www.eventleaf.com/e/ECEIA25

Photos from the Office archive

The Office has published the results of its 2024–2025 survey of the academic community, revealing key insights into ethics and trust in higher education. A total of 725 respondents from various Lithuanian research and higher education institutions participated in the survey. The findings are presented in the report “Survey of the Lithuanian Academic Community on Ethical Experiences: Attitudes and Opinions”, available in both Lithuanian and English.

The report explores topics such as trust in science and attitudes toward artificial intelligence, the perception of academic ethics violations, academic and freedom of expression, the transparency of leadership elections, the role and credibility of ethics committees, as well as issues related to authorship and the preparation of academic publications. The study provides not only a snapshot of the current situation but also reflects the expectations, values, and challenges faced by the academic community in practice.

This marks an important step toward strengthening an academic culture based on transparency and respect, where ethics is not merely a formality but an integral part of studies, research, and community life.

Comments and suggestions regarding this or future surveys are welcome via email: info@etikostarnyba.lt

Read the full report here: https://etikostarnyba.lt/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Lietuvos-akademines-bendruomenes-apklausa.pdf

On the evening of June 11, our team participated in an exceptional educational tour of the Vilnius Castles, led by the charismatic educator Marijus Mažūnas from the Directorate of the Vilnius Castles State Cultural Reserve.
Although the weather wasn’t perfect, the rain didn’t bother us for a moment – the engaging stories and vivid narratives kept us captivated throughout!

During the tour “Game of Thrones: The Decisive Battle,” we walked from Cathedral Square to Kalnų Park and explored the three castles of Vilnius – the Lower Castle, the Upper Castle, and the mysterious Crooked Castle. Marijus shared historical insights and vivid stories that revealed how the city’s landscape evolved over time, what events shaped it, and how the rivalry between Vytautas and Jogaila resembled a true historical drama.

This was far more than just a walk – it was an immersive experience that inspired us to explore Vilnius’ historical heritage even more deeply. Marijus presents history with great professionalism, passion, and creativity.
The tours are free of charge, so we warmly encourage everyone to take advantage of this great opportunity. We sincerely recommend it to all!

Contact: Marijus Mažūnas, +370 612 33843
Website: www.vilniauspilys.lt
Facebook: Vilniaus pilys

Photos from the Office Archive

On June 3, an international conference titled “Promoting Equitable Science During Crisis” took place at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The event was dedicated to strengthening fair and ethical international scientific partnerships during times of crisis. The Office of the Ombudsperson for Academic Ethics and Procedures of the Republic of Lithuania was represented by Kristina Puzarienė, Project Coordinator.

The conference emphasized that equitable and ethical scientific collaboration is essential for addressing global crises – from pandemics to armed conflicts. Particular attention was given to two key initiatives: The PREPARED Code – a code of conduct for research in times of pandemics; The TRUST Code Supplement – guidelines for conducting research in fragile regions.
Both documents are grounded in the principles of honesty, respect, care, and fairness.

One of the key topics discussed was the protection of researchers from harassment and threats, particularly when working on sensitive topics or in high-risk environments. The discussions addressed how to ensure a safe research environment and transparent procedures, including recommendations for improving visa policies.

The situation in Ukraine was presented as a case example demonstrating the importance of research security and academic freedom during crisis. UNESCO, together with its partners, is currently developing an assessment tool to help governments and institutions evaluate the level of academic freedom and research security in accordance with UNESCO recommendations.

Gender equality was also highlighted as a crucial aspect. The conference introduced a new UNESCO initiative – a global study on women researchers in extreme conditions and conflict zones. The study aims to identify the unique challenges faced by women scientists – from gender-based violence to professional exclusion.

Significant attention was also devoted to the growing phenomenon of harassment and intimidation against researchers, which has intensified with the influence of social media. Experts stressed the importance of educating early-career researchers on how to recognize harassment, access institutional support, and take care of their emotional well-being. The presented report included recommendations for addressing both in-person and online harassment, emphasizing the systemic threat it poses to science, public trust, and democracy.

The conference once again underscored the need to strengthen international cooperation to protect researchers and ensure their voices are not silenced. Participants called for responsible and united action to safeguard science as an independent, inclusive, and ethical endeavor – even in the face of the greatest crises.

The PREPARED Code: https://prepared-project.eu/prepared-code/
More information: https://prepared-project.eu/

Photos from the Office archive

On May 15, the Office prepared an overview analyzing how various academic publishers regulate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the preparation of scientific publications.

The overview examines how major academic publishers — Elsevier, SAGE Publishing, Springer, Taylor & Francis, Wiley — and COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) regulate the use of AI. It explores whether AI is permitted for generating texts and images, whether it can be listed as an author, and under what conditions its use must be disclosed.

You are invited to read the full overview here:
https://etikostarnyba.lt/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/A-Review-of-Artificial-Intelligence-Use.pdfhttps://etikostarnyba.lt/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dirbtinio-intelekto-naudojimo-apzvalga-rengiant-mokslo-publikacijas.pdf

If needed, comments or suggestions can be sent via email to: info@etikostarnyba.lt 

On May 27–28, the Ombudsperson for Academic Ethics and Procedures of the Republic of Lithuania, Dr. Reda Cimmperman, took part in the Digital Citizenship Education Forum held in Strasbourg (France), where she presented the Ethics Guidelines for Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education.

According to Dr Cimmperman, academic ethics is inseparable from digital literacy and the development of critical thinking – forming the foundation for a resilient, ethical, and inclusive digital society.

“University lecturers, regardless of their discipline, play a crucial role in fostering learners’ ability to evaluate information responsibly and act as informed citizens,” she noted.

This high-level event is one of the flagship initiatives of the Council of Europe marking 2025 as the European Year of Digital Citizenship Education. The Forum was organised by the Directorate General of Democracy and Human Dignity, highlighting the importance of a digital transformation in education grounded in human rights principles.

The “Let’s Act Now!” Digital Citizenship Education Forum gathered around 250 representatives from education, policy, technology, and civil society across Europe to address the challenges democracy faces in the digital age. The aim was to promote multi-stakeholder cooperation, showcase good practices, and contribute to a strategic roadmap for the next five years (2027–2031) to strengthen digital education.

The discussions emphasized that the digital environment provides additional opportunities for learning, but also raises increasing ethical challenges – including risks of plagiarism and the unethical use of artificial intelligence.

The Forum also highlighted the need to enhance technological competencies within academic and research institutions, particularly through the involvement of external experts in the development of ethical and responsible practices.

“In the discussions, the question was raised – does digital education require entirely new competencies, or simply a new perspective on the ones we already have? While opinions varied, there was consensus that education today must be grounded in ethics, human rights, and democratic values,” said Dr. Cimmperman.

More about the Forum:
https://europeanyear2025.coe.int/digital-citizenship-education-forum-lets-act-now

Ethics Guidelines for Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education (in Lithuanian):
https://e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/56254af0061111efbcbfb318996800a8

Today, the Office’s Senior Public Relations Specialist participated in “BNS Media Breakfast ‘25”, which brought together journalism professionals, communication experts, and experienced crisis communication speakers.

During the event, participants received valuable insights on how to prepare for public discussions and how to respond effectively in complex informational situations. Real-life cases were also analyzed, including the Lithuanian Basketball Federation’s communication strategy and the communication challenges related to the “Bankera” investigation.

The former spokesperson for the Minister of Foreign Affairs also shared her experiences, offering a glimpse into communication work within the minister’s cabinet.

These BNS-organized Media Breakfasts are held 3–4 times a year and provide an excellent opportunity to enhance institutional public communication skills and gain a deeper understanding of the media’s inner workings.

Those interested in participating are encouraged to contact BNS directly at: info@bns.lt.

Event moments were captured by photographer Lukas Balandis

On May 7, the Global Academic Integrity Network (GAIN) meeting took place, bringing together academic ethics experts from various countries. During the event, Dr. Eglė Ozolinčiūtė, an analyst at the Office of the Ombudsperson for Academic Ethics and Procedures of the Republic of Lithuania, presented one of the Office’s key initiatives of this year – the public opinion survey “Responsible Research Barometer 2024.”

In her presentation, Dr. Ozolinčiūtė discussed the aims, methodology, and key findings of the survey, highlighting public attitudes in Lithuania toward adherence to academic ethics principles and trust in science.

The data reveals that many respondents identify significant challenges in the research system – particularly ongoing pressure to publish scientific articles and to secure funding. The findings also underscore the need to improve science communication with the public.

The presentation prompted active questions from representatives of other countries, and the survey results were recognized as an important contribution to the international academic ethics discourse.

The full “Responsible Research Barometer 2024” report is available here:
https://etikostarnyba.lt/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Atsakingo-mokslo-barometras-2024.pdf