2019-06-27

Discussions on the strengthening of the role of research ethics

On 26 June, a discussion on the role of such public institutions as the Office, the Lithuanian Bioethics Committee and the Research Council of Lithuania in enhancing the focus of academia on research ethics was held at the Research Council of Lithuania. The discussion was attended by about 60 participants, including representatives of the European Commission, the said public institutions and foreign affiliates of the Office, as well as members of academia.

Experts from the European Commission Ana Marusic and Daniele Fanelli presented measures promoting ethical research activities, presenting different experiences of European countries. The experts emphasized that a significant number of European countries still do not have a common policy position on promoting and ensuring the integrity of research, paying little attention to motivating higher education and research institutions and other stakeholders that demonstrate a good example.

While presenting the upcoming activities of the Office, the Ombudswoman Loreta Tauginienė emphasized the need to pay more attention to preventive measures (e.g. holding trainings, drafting guidelines) in order to raise the awareness of academia in research ethics.

Senior Specialist of the Lithuanian Bioethics Committee, Acting Director Dr. Asta Čekanauskaitė, reviewed the development of the legal regulation in biomedical research ethics in Lithuania, while Prof. Dr. Edita Sužiedėlienė presented the role of the Ethics of Researcher Performance Commission in promoting adherence to research ethics.

The discussion was held by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of the Republic of Lithuania, the Research Council of Lithuania and the Office of Ombudsperson for Academic Ethics and Procedures of the Republic of Lithuania together with the European Commission.

Discussion presentations will be posted here.