2025-10-02

Meeting with the Community of the Lithuanian Energy Institute – Challenges and Opportunities in Academic Ethics

On September 30, the Office of the Ombudsperson for Academic Ethics and Procedures of the Republic of Lithuania (hereinafter – the Office) met with the community of the Lithuanian Energy Institute (LEI). The Office was represented by Adviser Dr. Rima Sinickė and Senior Analyst Dr. Eglė Ozolinčiūtė.

During the seminar, members of the LEI Academic Ethics Committee, Dr. Asta Narkūnienė and Dr. Diana Meilutytė-Lukauskienė, presented the Committee’s activities and the LEI Code of Ethics. They also highlighted existing dissemination practices and national-level documents integrated into LEI activities. It was noted with satisfaction that no major academic ethics violations have been detected at the institute.

Representatives of the Office presented the Office’s functions, discussed common violations such as the misuse of research data and unethical authorship, and introduced the guidelines on the ethical use of artificial intelligence in research and studies.

The participants showed strong interest in the Office’s activities. They raised questions about the nature of complaints received, their consequences for applicants, whistleblower protection, and the assurance of confidentiality. Discussions also touched upon institutional trust and the need to put developed documents into practice. The potential of science communication was identified as a possible solution to address these challenges.

Participants openly shared their experiences related to academic ethics, actively discussed dilemmas concerning potential violations, and explored academically sound and ethical ways to address them.

LEI representatives emphasized that academic ethics dissemination is already taking place (e.g., sharing information through newsletters) and expressed plans to further strengthen these efforts by ensuring systematic education in various forms: organizing annual events on the topic, joining national online trainings organized by the Office, and engaging in other initiatives.

Photo by Rima Sinickė