Universities of Applied Sciences Join the Estonian Code of Conduct for Research Integrity Agreement

The aim of the Estonian Code of Conduct for Research Integrity is to support knowledge about, acceptance and entrenchment of research integrity in the Estonian research community. By joining the Estonian Code of Conduct for Research Integrity Agreement, the research institutions confirm that they respect the main values of research and the principles of action described in the text of the Estonian Code of Conduct for Research Integrity finalised in 2017 in cooperation between Estonian research institutions, the Estonian Academy of Sciences, the Estonian Research Council, and the Ministry of Education and Research.

So far, Estonian universities except for the universities of applied science had signed the Code of Conduct for Research Integrity Agreement. The entrenchment of the Code of Conduct for Research Integrity is a significant initiative to further facilitate the cooperation of higher education institutions with the institutions of research and development in working towards science-based solutions. It will be equally important to lead cooperation between universities and research institutions.

In studies and research, it is important to ensure reliability between partners involved in applied research and experimental developments. Modern applied research is often interdisciplinary, which is why the barriers between different higher education and research institutions should be as low as possible to engage the best scientific competence and research infrastructures.

The initiative to join the Code of Conduct for Research Integrity Agreement was launched by the Estonian Aviation Academy. Namely, in May 2022, a seminar supporting research, development and creativity led by Margit Sutrop, Head of the UT Centre for Ethics, took place where academic ethics was on the agenda. At the seminar, the question was raised why the universities of applied sciences had not joined the Agreement. From there, the matter was taken further to the meetings of the Rectors’ Conference of Universities of Applied Sciences by Koit Kaskel, Chairman of RCUAS in the academic year of 2021/22, and Triinu Soomere, Vice Rector for Education, and together it was decided to aim at joining. Finally, the festive moment of acceding to the Code of Conduct for Research Integrity Agreement arrived.

On the meeting of 7 September, the role of the Code of Conduct for Research Integrity in the system of Estonian research ethics and the responsibility of higher education institutions in promoting ethical research was discussed. The issues of research ethics and cooperation were explored in the workshop in which, among others, scientific advisers at the ministries participated.

The full text of the Estonian Code of Conduct for Research Integrity and the list of signatories is available on the Ethics in Estonia portal and the full press release on joining can be found on the website of RCUAS.