Abstract :
[en] For ensuring good practices in research from the beginning and developing a culture of ethics, ULg developed an integrated approach focusing on young researchers. The objective is to instill, as soon as possible, a good perception of what is quality in research, considering methodology, project management and ethics as norms and moral positioning for solving dilemma.
Actions, coordinated by the Council for Ethics and Scientific Integrity (CEIS), are developed simultaneously through 5 axes. Young researchers are involved at all levels of the process, directly or as representative of the PhD Association.
1. Training: Sensitization and education to ethics; development of professional capacities, incl. data analysis & open data; seminaries with supervisors and PhDs ("duos")
2. Forum: ethics on the public space – Seminaries, conference, round tables, intervision, discussion and exchange on questions, dilemma, case-studies, with the help of external experts
3. Research appraisal: requirement for an ethics appraisal of each research project, with a special focus on human and social sciences, with the help of disciplinary ethics committees
4. Ethics analysis: Analysis of special questions, complains, problems, and decision making in case of violation of integrity
5. Regulation: Writing of procedures, dissemination of documents, recommendations and case-studies, link to the HR Strategy for researchers and the Charter and Code.
In 2016, successful activities took place :
- about 500 PhDs (25%) participated directly in the "Go2thesis training" (incl. 1 day on project management and ethics), dedicated trainings (introduction, special questions) and forum-debates
- all the research projects, incl. PhD grants, supported by ULg were requested to provide an ethical issue check list, based on the H2020 standards. The R&D Office helped to explain about the issues and resources, and to orient the applicant to the ad hoc ethics committee
- special requests were analyzed by the CEIS for several PhD's sensitive projects
- Information was provided to PhDs regarding authorship, crowdfunding, privacy, open data and security while travelling
New projects will be developed for (1) strengthening the relation between CEIS-ethics committee-doctoral school-supervisor-PhD (2) involving all the new PhDs in the training and forum, and (3) ensure the ethics appraisal during the whole duration of the PhD thesis (i.e. special chapter in the annual report).
This presentation aims to exchange about what was done, the actual and expected impact of actions, what is going right and wrong, and how ULg is managing this dynamics as part of the HR Strategy for researchers project. A discussion with participants is expected on results and new projects.
