2021-11-15

We shared experience with the representatives of the Norwegian National Research Ethics Committees

On 10-12 November, the representatives of the Office of the Ombudsperson for Academic Ethics and Procedures met the representatives of the Norwegian National Research Ethics Committees, FEK. The Office’s employees shared their experience and learnt how FEK are forming the research integrity provisions in Norway and what challenges are encountered, what preventive measures of unethical behaviour are implemented, and took interest in peculiarities of handling of possible violations of academic ethics. The experience of FEK representatives is of special importance for the Office, i.e., which preventive measures are more effective, how to apply the universally recognised principles and good research practices for handling of the complaints. FEK representatives stressed that no deadline for complaint handling is set because all the possible violations of research ethics are complex.

Archives of the Office

Besides, during the work visit, the Office’s representatives met research ethics ombudsperson of the University of Oslo, Prof. Knut W. Ruyter, who shared his experience how the principle of confidentiality is applied in mediation and how systemic changes at university are aimed at. He stressed that the research ethics starts with experienced researchers first of all, so teaching of research ethics is especially important in this group of academic community.

The work visit was co-financed by the Nordic-Baltic Mobility Funding Programme for Public Administration and by the Office.

Ombudsman

We shared experience with the representatives of the Norwegian National Research Ethics Committees