Integrity policy

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Responsible Research at UHasselt Integrity Charter Code of Conduct on Conflicts of Interest Magna Charta Human Rights First aid kit for questions about Research Integrity Steering Group Ethics and Integrity News Reseach ethics and integrity

Responsible Research at UHasselt

Ethics and integrity are becoming increasingly important within our society. Hasselt University therefore attaches great importance to integrity amongst its employees, within the scientific and ethical quality of the education at Hasselt University, within research, and within the services and the administration conducted under Hasselt University’s name.

Integrity Charter

As of 2018 all employees of Hasselt University – academic, administrative and technical – will sign the Integrity charter upon contractual signing.

The Integrity charter contains guidelines and focus points on academic and scientific integrity, people connected to Hasselt University, the confidentiality of certain information, the protection of research results (for possible valorisation), responsibility and respect.

Download here the Integrity charter. (pdf, 40 KB)

Code of Conduct on Conflicts of Interest

Within the broad integrity policy, a Code of Conduct on Conflicts of Interest has been developed by the Steering Group Ethics and Integrity. It is approved by the Board of Governors.

This code of conduct creates a framework to eliminate ambiguities and prevent potential and effective conflicts of interest or abuse of power when professional and private relationships are potentially entangled. The code is based on transparency, responsibility and privacy principles and should provide staff and students with the necessary tools to deal with a (potential) conflict of interest.

Code of Conduct on Conflicts of Interest (pdf, 265 KB)

Magna Charta

Hasselt University endorses the principles of the Magna Charta Universitatum, signed in September 2017.

  1. The university is an autonomous institution: Research and education must be morally and intellectually independent of all political authority and economic power.
  2. Research and education should be inseparable if their tuition is not to lag behind changing needs, the demands of society, and advances in scientific knowledge.
  3. Freedom in research and training is the fundamental principle of the academic life. The goal of the university is to attain universal knowledge and to transcend geographical and political frontiers.

Compliance with these principles is overseen by the Magna Charta Observatory. By organizing events where researchers, policymakers and students meet to discuss related problems and search for answers, the Observatory guards institutional autonomy and academic freedom.

Contact 
research@uhasselt.be

Human Rights

Webpage under construction

Informationpoint

Mensenrechten@uhasselt.be

First aid kit for questions about Research Integrity

OMBUDSMAN FOR PHD STUDENTS

Are you a PhD student? Are there problems with your working relationship with your supervisor? Or have you encountered integrity issues in the course of your research? If so, get in touch. Together we’ll try to get your PhD back on track.

CONFIDANT

Are relations with your colleagues not going smoothly? Are you experiencing bullying, sexual harassment, discrimination or aggression? Or are you suffering physical or psychological harm as a result of the organisation of your work, or the content, conditions or circumstances of your employment? If so, get in touch with one of Hasselt University's seven confidants. We will be happy to listen to your problems and look for a solution together.

CONTACT POINT UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR

The contact point is there for all staff members (including doctorandi) and students of UHasselt. A report may concern unacceptable behaviour by a student, staff member or visitor on campus.

OCCUPATIONAL DOCTOR

Are you wondering whether the demands of your work are compatible with your capabilities? Do you have questions such as: Can I simply carry on working in the lab during my pregnancy? How can I avoid burnout? The Hasselt University occupational doctor monitors the health and wellbeing of our employees on a preventive basis.


HEALTH AND SAFETY ADVISER FOR PSYCHOSOCIAL ASPECTS

Are you experiencing psychological and/or physical complaints as a result of your working conditions? Would you like to have the risks analysed, either formally or informally? If so, contact the health and safety adviser for psychosocial aspects. We devise preventive measures and receive requests for informal and formal psychosocial intervention.

HR BUSINESS PARTNER

Do you have questions about integrity within HR areas such as training, well-being, evaluation and functioning, employment status and careers? We’ll be happy to help you with all your integrity related questions and challenges.

  • HR business partners : Katrien Tips and Agna Dodion
  • More info

SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY

Hasselt University provides guidance for questions about responsible research and innovation. All information about ethics and research integrity can be found on this webpage.

Steering Group Ethics and Integrity

GENERAL INFORMATION STEERING GROUP ETHICS AND INTEGRITY

The Steering Group Ethics and Integrity is an overarching council, consisting of all chairman of the Ethical Committees, as well as representatives from the department of Research, Education and Staff.

The goal is to connect all ethical committees and exchange information about each other's work.

Important: the Steering Group does not handle complaints or problems.

The scope of the Steering Group Ethics and Integrity:

  • giving internal advice, both general and ad hoc, and suggesting measures regarding ethical and integrity issues;
  • coordinate ethical committees at Hasselt University, more specifically on the subject of regulation, composition, operation and procedures;
  • formulate recommendations for education and communication towards UHasselt-staff members and support initiatives to grow the UHasselt integrity culture.

COMPOSITION OF THE STEERING GROUP ETHICS AND INTEGRITY

  • the chairman of the commission for research integrity: Geert Molenberghs
  • the chairman of the medical ethics committee: Ivo Lambrichts
  • the chairman of the social and societal ethics committee: Johan Ackaert
  • the chairman of the commission for animal experimentation: Virginie Bito
  • the chairman of the Biosafety commission: Karen Smeets
  • a honorary member of the Flemish commission for research integrity: Marcel Ameloot
  • a ethicist: Wim Pinxten
  • the rector: Bernard Vanheusden
  • the vice rector research: Ken Haenen
  • the vice rector education: Wanda Guedens
  • the director from the department research (OBI): Sadia Vancauwenbergh
  • the director from the department education: Lien Mampaey
  • the director from the department staff: Karel Bosmans
  • a legal counsel from the rectorate department: Britt Loos
  • a representative from the department OBI: Stefanie Kerkhofs
  • a secretary from the department OBI: Stephanie Ruysschaert

CONTACTPOINT

Ethiek@uhasselt.be

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