Mötesplats Rydberg: Anders Ahlberg - Research integrity and doctoral education - basic principles, blind angles and local boundaries

Tuesday 21 Nov 2017, 15:15 → 16:15 Europe/Stockholm

Rydbergsalen (Fysiska institutionen-Physics Department)

Knowing basic research ethical principles (cf. for instance ALLEA 2016) does not always mean we know how to define subtle boundaries of our everyday behavior. Local habits in research and doctoral education may gradually drift into unethical acts and therefore need continuous assessment by supervisors and students. This seminar provides examples and opportunities for such discussions. From next year newly admitted doctoral students at LTH will be required to participate in the faculty introductory course given each semester. One reason for this is the need to assure that every student has encountered basic research ethical principles in the beginning of their studies, both in terms of academic conduct and third party protection. Notably, it is not the level of potential hazards of student projects that determines the need of ethical training. Such competences constitute national compulsory learning outcomes for all PhDs in all disciplines. Finally, supervisor - student relationships are by nature asymmetrical, and sometimes such relationships show signs of conflict. LTH has defined a set of mutual ethical guidelines for supervisors and PhD students that revolve around typical issues of conflict (LTH 2015). During the seminar we will touch upon some of these situations.