Research ethics

OsloMet offers training in research ethics through courses embedded in its PhD programs, as well as workshops and seminars available to all employees.

OsloMet offers training in research ethics through courses embedded in its PhD programs, as well as workshops and seminars available to all employees.

Contact person: Anders Strand 

Research ethics for all employees

Research ethics – joint course

The course meets the minimum training requirements in research ethics as outlined in the Research Ethics Act (oslomet.no). The course consists of a full-day seminar with lectures and group work, preceded by preparatory reading and an e-learning module. The seminar is the core component of the course.

During the seminar, we explore the ethical foundations and the role of research ethics, with a focus on the relationship between academic freedom and the responsibility to uphold ethical standards. The seminars combines lectures on ethical norms, legislation, and organizational structures with interdisciplinary group work and discussions of real-world ethical dilemmas.

The content of the joint course overlaps with the first day of the 5-credit PhD course in research ethics.

Other courses in research ethics

Information about who the course is for and how to sign up can be found on the course page.

Course for PhD supervisors

This course is designed for everyone who supervises PhD candidates at OsloMet (oslomet.no). It focuses on supervision as a process, common challenges, co-authorship, ethical aspects of supervision, and the relationship between supervisor and candidate.

AI in practice – discover the possibilities: Get on the AI train

In close collaboration with the Faculty of Technology, Art and Design (TKD), OsloMet Academy has established a learning arena for artificial intelligence (AI). The course “AI in Practice – Discover the Possibilities” consists of modules that enhance understanding and the ability to recognize the benefits, opportunities, and limitations of AI.

The course addresses current societal developments and our responsibility to make ethical assessments related to AI. It includes three distinct modules, open for registration to employees with an interest and engagement in the topics.

(The course is in Norwegian only.)

Research ethics in the PhD programmes

Research ethics (5 ECTS)

This course is an obligatory part of the PhD programmes at SPS and SAM, but it is also open for participants from other programmes when places are available. The first day of the course overlaps with the joint course in research ethics for all employees.

In the PhD programmes at TKD, a revision process will be undertaken to ensure that the research ethics content covered in the mandatory PhD courses PENG9100 and PINS9100/9200 aligns with the joint course in research ethics.

Go to the PhD website for more information on research ethics:

• PhD at the Faculty of Education and International Studies
• PhD at the Faculty of Health Sciences
• PhD at the Faculty of Technology, Art and Design

Other PhD courses which cover research ethics topics

PS9001 Critical Engagements: Social Sciences in a Changing Society

This course places social science knowledge production in a broader context (student.oslomet.no), shaped by increasing expectations for societal contribution, relevance, and stakeholder involvement. The shift from the ideal of the autonomous research university to a more distributed and applied knowledge model raises key questions in research ethics.

How do expectations for user involvement, societal relevance, and open science affect the core values of research? This development opens up possibilities for more democratic and inclusive knowledge production, such as citizen science and interdisciplinary collaboration. At the same time, it may lead to situations where research is shaped by political agendas, commercial interests, or instrumental demands for visible “impact.” Such pressures can undermine academic freedom, challenge the integrity of research results, and shift the balance of power between researchers and various societal actors.

Contact person: Ivan Harsløf

All courses for employees described below are open to PhD fellows where relevant (see the course descriptions).

Research Ethics Committee

The Research Ethics Committee serves as OsloMet’s committee for research integrity (cf. Section 6 of the Research Ethics Act).

The Research Ethics Committee handles individual cases where there is suspicion of scientific misconduct or breaches of good research practice at the university. You can also report concerns related to potential misconduct or violations of recognized ethical standards in research.

Do you want to know more about how the committee processes cases? Read the guidelines provided by the Research Ethics Committee. 

Contact person: Stine Hulleberg Johansen

Science ombud

OsloMet has appointed four science ombuds, one at each of the university’s four faculties. Their key responsibilities include raising awareness of research ethics within the organization, acting as neutral mediators in cases or conflicts related to research ethics, and serving as discussion partners on ethical issues in research.

The ombuds handle all inquiries confidentially and represent a low-threshold support service that is not part of the formal reporting line. The ombuds role is independent, and they are bound by confidentiality under Section 13 of the Norwegian Public Administration Act.

• Science Ombud at HV (oslomet.no)

• Science Ombud at LUI (oslomet.no)

• Science Ombud at SAM (oslomet.no)

• Science Ombud at TKD (oslomet.no)

Research Ethics Council at the Centre for Welfare and Labour Research (SVA)

At SVA, a dedicated Research Ethics Council has been established (oslomet.no). The council consists of one experienced researcher from each of the centre’s institutes, appointed by the directors’ meeting. Its main responsibilities are to assess specific cases submitted by research leaders and to propose concrete measures that support SVA’s goals for ethical research practices.

Forum for Research Ethics

The Forum for Research Ethics is an interdisciplinary meeting place for discussion and reflection on research ethics issues, open to all employees at OsloMet. Each semester, the forum organizes events on various research ethics topics. These events are open to all staff.

On the forum’s website, you will find information about its organization, past and upcoming events, and links to academic resources.

OsloMet resources and guidelines

OsloMet is responsible for ensuring that all research conducted at the university complies with ethical norms and regulations (§5 of the Research Ethics Act). Researchers, project staff, PhD candidates, students, and other employees involved in research also have an independent responsibility to familiarize themselves with research ethics.

At OsloMet, deans and head of research centres hold the daily operational responsibility for research and ensure that the framework is followed. Institute leaders are responsible for ensuring that project leaders in research projects are offered training in applicable legislation, regulations, and guidelines on research ethics, and that project leaders safeguard ethical aspects related to their projects.

Supervisors have a particular responsibility as role models and for communicating discipline-specific research ethics guidelines to PhD candidates and students.

You can read more about responsibilities at OsloMet here:

•  
• The role and tasks of the person responsible for research
• Responsibility at OsloMet (Norwegian only)
• Supervisor’s responsibility

Here you find ethical guidelines and resources at OsloMet:

• Etiske retningslinjer for forskning ved OsloMet 
• Etiske retningslinjer for veiledning ved OsloMet
• Etiske retningslinjer for internasjonale samarbeidsavtaler ved OsloMet (Norwegian only)
• Consent in research
• Confidentiality in research
• Policy on the use of artificial intelligence at OsloMet
• Policy for the Management of Research Data at OsloMet 
• Policy for sikkerhet, informasjonssikkerhet og personvern (Norwegian only)
• Resource page for responsible internationalisation
• Privacy and information security

All research conducted at OsloMet must adhere to recognized research ethics norms and guidelines. Below you will find links to selected laws and regulations related to research ethics (note: this list is not exhaustive).

• The Research Ethics Act (Lovdata): A Norwegian law that ensures research is conducted in accordance with recognized ethical standards. It regulates researchers' duty of care, institutional 

• responsibilities, and the handling of misconduct cases.

• Preparatory Works for the Research Ethics Act (Regjeringen.no): Provides background and rationale for the law, including legislative intentions and interpretations.

• The Health Research Act (Lovdata): Promotes ethically sound medical and health research involving humans, biological material, or health data.

• The Biotechnology Act (Lovdata): Regulates the medical use of biotechnology, including assisted reproduction, genetic testing, and gene therapy.

• The Oviedo Convention (Lovdata): An international treaty on human rights and biomedicine, ensuring that biomedical research respects human dignity and rights.

• The Personal Data Act (Lovdata): Governs the processing of personal data, aiming to protect individuals' privacy.

• The Research Ethics Regulation (Lovdata): Regulates the organization of research ethics committees and review boards.

• The Universities and University Colleges Act (Lovdata): Governs the operations of universities and colleges in Norway

• The PhD Regulation (Lovdata): Regulates doctoral education at OsloMet, including admission, progression, and completion.

• Regulation on the Use of Animals in Research (Lovdata): Aims to limit the use of animals for scientific and educational purposes, ensuring animal welfare and minimizing unnecessary suffering.

• The Upcoming EU Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) (artificialintelligenceact.eu): A regulation intended to govern the development and use of AI systems within the EU.

All research conducted at OsloMet must comply with recognized ethical norms and regulations. In Norway, there are three national research ethics committees that, among other things, develop guidelines. Below you will find links to national guidelines, recommendations, and resources related to research ethics.

• EU Guidelines on Ethics and Data Protection: These guidelines provide researchers and project participants with advice on identifying and addressing ethical issues, ensuring compliance with EU rules on privacy and data protection. Topics include informed consent, data security, anonymization, and handling sensitive data.

• EU Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Generative AI in Research (PDF): Offers guidance for researchers developing or using AI in EU-funded projects, with recommendations for ethical and responsible use.

• Vancouver Recommendations on Authorship – ICMJE: A set of guidelines for the design, reporting, editing, and publication of medical and health research articles, developed by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.

• Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE): An international organization offering guidelines, training materials, and forums for addressing challenges in publication ethics and ensuring integrity in scholarly communication.

•  The European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity – ALLEA: Provides a common framework for research integrity across disciplines and institutions in Europe, serving as a standard for self-regulation in research environments.

• Singapore Statement on Research Integrity – WCRIF: An international framework promoting shared principles and responsibilities for responsible research conduct, regardless of national or institutional context.

• Montreal Statement on Cross-Boundary Research Integrity – WCRIF: Offers guidance for responsible research practices in international, interdisciplinary, and cross-sector collaborations.