Ethics and Research
The University draws inspiration from the principles and values recognized in the Constitution of the Italian Republic, in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and other international acts and agreements regarding human rights (...) . The University is committed to achieving research integrity, in terms of adherence to and full implementation of the ethical and deontological principles, values and professional standards on which the responsible and diligent behavior of those who design, conduct, fund and assess scientific research is founded, as well as (...) those of the European policy for Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI), and of the European Charter for Researchers (...)
(from our Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct and Principles of Research Integrity)
Ethical Principles of the Academic Community
The University aims to be the place where each member of the academic community finds the best conditions to perform their institutional duties. The individual is placed at the core, both in terms of professional development and in the definition of their educational needs and programs.
- Academic freedom
- Protection of individual dignity and well-being
- Environmental protection
- Integrity of decision-making processes
- Protection and promotion of opportunities. Rejection of any form of discrimination and favoritism
- Rejection of any form of abuse and harassment
- Prevention of conflict of interest
- Scientific and ethical integrity of research
- Employment protection
- Confidentiality and personal data protection
- Protection of intellectual property
- Knowledge dissemination and social responsibility education
- Freedom of expression and representation
Research Ethics Committee
The University has appointed a Research Ethics Committee with the following tasks:
- expressing an opinion on the research projects and activities carried out by its researchers or in which the University is involved, whenever necessary;
- taking initiatives to promote the knowledge, application and observance of the principles, regulations and standards of good research practice;
- providing an opinion on the correct interpretation and application of the principles of good research practice.
Animal Welfare and Research
Our University undertakes to take into consideration, from an ethical and scientific point of view, the conditions and manners under which animals are used for research purposes within the facilities of the University, and promote initiatives intended to train researchers who engage in this type of experimentation. To this end, it has appointed a Body for the Protection of Animals (OPBA); under its scope fall:
- the promotion of animal respect and protection;
- the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes within the institutional activities of the University;
- environmental respect, protection and conservation;
- scientific freedom and dissemination.
In compliance with current laws and regulations (Legislative Decree no. 26 of 4 March 2014), the Body is in charge of examining all research projects which entail the use of animals (go to the Intranet page “How to request an opinion”). Obtaining a favorable opinion is necessary to forward the project to the Ministry of Health, the competent authority, which may grant authorization, following an evaluation that entails requesting the scientific and technical opinion of the Italian Institute of Health.
The University’s stalling facilities host the animals for which ministerial approval for experimentation has been obtained.
Composition:
- Professor Elena Bossi (30 June 2020 – 29 June 2023)
- Gilda Ripamonti (30 June 2020 – 29 June 2023)
- Professor Andrea Moriondo (30 June 2020 – 29 June 2023)
- Professor Davide Vigetti (30 June 2020 – 29 June 2023)
- Maria Luisa Guidali, Responsible for animal welfare
- Micaela Antonini, Responsible for fish farm
- Doctor Francesco Carù, Veterinarian in charge of the University for animal welfare
Commission for the implementation of the Code of Ethics
A University Commission for the implementation of the Code of Ethics is established, whose members, equipped with the necessary prerequisites of integrity, are appointed by the Academic Senate on proposal from the Rector.
The Commission for the implementation of the Code of Ethics is expected to:
- perform a supervision function on the implementation of and adherence to the Code’s regulations, in compliance with the following provisions;
- after receiving notification of potentially relevant behaviors from a disciplinary point of view, promptly forward the notification itself to the competent disciplinary bodies;
- submit revision or integration proposals for the Code to the competent bodies;
- have advisory functions on the interpretation of the Code’s regulations, summoning, when appropriate, the interested parties before taking any other action;
- write an annual report on the activities it carried out which will be published on the University’s website.