Praktisch
The VUB is launching a new Charter for Researchers, responding to a rapidly evolving research landscape and the need for guidance that reflects today’s challenges – from the rise of generative AI and increased expectations around due diligence in international collaborations to the growing demand for research that is sustainable, inclusive, and democratically grounded. Informed by feedback from the VUB community, the Charter also provides clearer guidance in areas not always covered by formal policy, such as collaborative practices, authorship expectations, and external communication when engaging in public debate. The result is a concise and accessible document that offers a fresh overview of what excellent and ethical research looks like today.
To invite the VUB community to explore the Charter in an engaging and interactive way, it will take center stage during Ethics Week 2025 (1-5 December). Throughout the week, we will highlight the Charter’s key sections, with VUB experts unpacking the relevant regulations, guidelines, and best practices. Each session will include ample room for discussion, questions, and exchange, giving researchers the opportunity to reflect on how the Charter relates to their everyday work.
All sessions (see the programme below) will be held in English, primarily on campus, with several online options available.
PROGRAMME
Monday, 1 December:
- Opening session: ‘Academic Freedom and Its (Responsible) Exercise’ (campus Etterbeek)
- Session ‘Culture of Care in Animal Research’ by the Ethics Committee for Animal Experiments (campus Jette)
- Session ‘Your responsibilities for ensuring ethical research and knowledge security in a changing world’ by the Ethics Committee Dual Use, Military Research and Misuse of Research (online)
Tuesday, 2 December:
- Session ‘Responsibilities of a Researcher and the Democratisation of Science’ (online)
Wednesday, 3 December:
- Session ‘Research Data Management & the use of AI in Research’ (campus Etterbeek)
- Session ‘General introduction and guidelines for the participation of students in research as participants or researchers’ by the Ethics Committee for Human Sciences (online)
Thursday, 4 December:
- Session ‘Collaboration and External Communication’ (campus Etterbeek)
Friday, 5 December:
- Session ‘Publication, Authorship and Peer Review’ (campus Etterbeek)
- Session ‘Research Integrity and Dealing with Its Violations’ (online)