Estonian University of Life Sciences follows good academic practice and the principles of academic ethics.
In our activities we proceed from good behavioural ethics, good communication and attitude, open cooperation within the University and with the society.
Good workplace and academic study environment, friendly internal atmosphere, respectful attitude, recognition of employees and students, exchange of experience, open communication and good reputation management ensure a sense of security for students and employees.
SENATE REGULATION
Tartu
26 November 2020, No 1- 28/16
Good Academic Practice and Implementation of Principles of Academic Ethics in Estonian University of Life Sciences
Adopted pursuant to Clause 13 (2) 3) of the Statutes of Estonian University of Life Sciences
General Part
Good academic practice is a set of principles and ways of operating, according to which Estonian University of Life Sciences (hereinafter the University) and its membership can ensure purposeful and transparent operation, striving for universal knowledge as an institution to uphold and follow the humanistic tradition.
Good academic practice describes what kind of behaviour is expected of the University membership and the University responsibility in ensuring academic integrity.
1. Good academic practice
1.1. Good academic practice is based on good behavioural ethics, good communication and attitude, open cooperation within the University and with the society, and following the principles of academic ethics. Good workplace and academic study environment, friendly internal atmosphere, respectful attitude, recognition of employees and students, exchange of experience, open communication and good reputation management ensure a sense of security for students and employees.
1.2. The University ensures efficient and open management and the involvement of various stakeholders in decision-making processes through equal treatment.
1.3. The University shall apply transparent and open communication to solve problems.
1.4. The University respects the fundamental values and principles of academic ethics described in the Magna Charta Universitatum, the Code of Ethics of Estonian Scientists adopted in 2002, and the Estonian Code of Conduct for Research Integrity finalised in 2017 in cooperation of Estonian research institutions, the Estonian Academy of Sciences, the Estonian Research Council, and the Ministry of Education and Research.
By joining the Estonian Code of Conduct for Research Integrity Agreement, the University confirms to
a) respect and observe the most essential values of research integrity, which are freedom, responsibility, honesty and objectivity, respect and caring, justice, openness and cooperation.
b) acknowledge the responsibility of individual researchers and research institutions, research organisations and financers of research concerning planning of research, conduct of research, publishing and application of research results, identification and resolution of conflicts of interest, ensuring collegiality in the workplace, dissemination and promotion of the principles of research integrity;
c) observe, disseminate, promote and apply the Estonian Code of Conduct for Research Integrity and do everything in our power to prevent misconduct, to uncover cases of misconduct and to deal with cases of misconduct appropriately;
d) cooperate to apply the Estonian Code of Conduct for Research Integrity and to work out the rules of procedure for dealing with cases of misconduct to ensure the credibility of research, and as equal treatment of members of different research institutions as possible.
2. Principles of Academic Ethics
2.1. The University appreciates its membership and ensures following the principles of equal treatment for all employees and students.
2.2. The University follows the principles of academic ethics described in the five sections of Estonian Code of Conduct for Research Integrity:
1) planning of research;
2) conduct of research;
3) authorship, publishing and application of research results;
4) researcher in the research community;
5) observance, promotion and application of research integrity
2.3. Academic activities and organisation of work are guided by principles that are specific (expecting the unanimity of academic staff or resulting from legal acts and international agreements) and general (the academic staff and the University are free to decide), and describe how the University membership behaves without compromising the credibility of the University and academic activities. In the event of a conflict of principles and the emergence of novel situations not covered by the Estonian Code of Conduct for Research Integrity, the academic staff and the University have the opportunity to consider and decide on the best possible behaviour, but this choice must be well considered, justified and based on the core values of the Code of Conduct for Research Integrity.
2.4. For academic ethics, the University shall apply the general principles of activity described in the fifth part of the Estonian Code of Conduct for Research Integrity: Observance, promotion and application of research integrity.
2.5. The membership of the University shall be guided, in all activities, by principles specified in Clause 2.2 and 2.3. of this Regulation. The University shall support its membership in understanding and responding to ethical issues. Members of the University shall follow the principles of academic ethics and respond to breaches of academic ethics.
2.6. The Senate shall form the Academic Ethics Committee, the task of which is 1) to introduce the principles of academic ethics at the University and prevent systemic problems, and 2) to solve problems related to misunderstanding or violation of academic ethics at the University, by applying the principle of equal treatment.
3. Breaches of Principles of Academic Ethics
3.1. The University shall protect persons who have reported a suspicion or a complaint of a breach and have done so in good faith, ensure the confidentiality of any proceeding of a possible breach, and protect the dignity and privacy of all concerned persons and parties.
3.2. In case of a suspected possible breach of the principles of academic ethics, the University members have the right to seek advice from the supervisor, a colleague, the head of the chair or the authorised employee of the institute and, if necessary, inform the Chairman of the Academic Ethics Committee in confidence and in writing (APPENDIX 2); specifying, if possible, which principle of the Estonian Code of Conduct for Research Integrity has been violated. The anonymously described information of the cases handled by the authorised staff of the institutes (academic ethics advisor) shall be stored in the document management system.
3.3. A suspicion or a complaint of breach are handled by the Academic Ethics Committee, which shall follow the procedure for “Establishing the Academic Ethics Committee, the principles and organization of activities, the procedure for handling suspicions and complaints” laid down by the University Senate (APPENDIX 1), ensuring fairness, impartiality and transparency of the process.
3.4. The Academic Ethics Committee adopts a position on the received complaint, makes proposals for resolving the situation and formalises the decision. If the proceedings reveal that there is a more appropriate institution or body to deal with the breach, the Academic Ethics Committee shall refer the suspected breach or complaint concerning the research integrity to the competent official or body.
3.5. In the case of a notification of a possible breach described in Clauses 3.2. and 3.3. of this Regulation and the corresponding proceedings described above, the parties shall be guaranteed access to the information of the proceedings, and it shall be ensured that public information respects the privacy and dignity of all parties.
4. This Regulation addresses the responsibilities related to the activities of the University and its members, and do not extend to scientific journals, research funders, evaluators and researchers' associations and other organizations.
5. Issues of academic ethics related to academic studies are regulated in Regulation of studies,
Conditions and Procedure for Applying and Awarding Doctoral Degrees and Requirements
and Procedure for the Awarding of Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees.
6. Repeal Regulation No. 1-5/8 of the Council of the University of September 27, 2018.
7. The Regulation shall take effect 1 December 2020.
Märt Reinvee, Senior Lecturer, Institute of Forestry and Engineering
Leo Luks, Senior Lecturer, and Karin Kauer, Senior Researcher, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Katrin Kaldre, Assistant Professor, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences
Chairman of the Committee
Eve Veromann, Professor
Members of the Committee
Tarmo Niine, Lecturer
Kalev Jõgiste, Senior Researcher
Kaarel Soots, Lecturer
Andres Soosaar, Visiting Associate Professor at the Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine (Faculty of Medicine) of the University of Tartu, research integrity counsellor of the Faculty of Medicine
Alternate Members of the Committee
Külli Hovi, Lecturer
Evelin Jürgenson, Professor
Katrin Kaldre, Assistant Professor
Lauri Laanisto, Professor
Leo Luks, Senior Lecturer
Sandra Metslaid, Researcher
Märt Reinvee, Senior Lecturer
Alo Tänavots, Senior Lecturer
