Forum for Research Ethics 2026: Systems to safeguard integrity – and trust

Venue and time: Digital (Microsoft Teams), 17 September 2026, 10:00–13:30 (CEST) 
Registration: See the bottom of this page.
A participation link will be sent to attendees approx. one week before the forum. 

Read more about the Research ethics forum (In Norwegian)

In 2024, the Research Ethics Forum focused on the handling of cases of scientific misconduct, and in 2025 on education and training in research ethics. In 2026, the forum turns its attention to the broader preventive efforts that are essential for maintaining trust in research. 

The current global situation raises new security-related challenges that must be addressed, while internationally there is increasing attention to the importance of a sound research culture. This year, Norway will also introduce a new Health Research Act with a stronger emphasis on institutional responsibility. How can research institutions respond to these developments? 

Researchers are responsible for conducting their work in accordance with recognised norms of research ethics. Institutions, in turn, are responsible for providing appropriate frameworks, clear procedures, and support in challenging situations. Among other questions, we will explore how institutions can: 
address research ethics issues and cases effectively through early and systematic processes; 

• support researchers in safeguarding the integrity, safety, and welfare of research participants; 
• prevent undue pressure and provide support to researchers facing challenging situations; and 
• strengthen trust in research through preventive institutional systems and measures. 
• Program

The program is subject to change. 

(In Norwegian) 10:00–10:10: Introduction. Helene Ingierd, Director of the National Research Ethics Committees in Norway 

(In Norwegian) 10:10–11:20: Part I: Research ethics assessments at research institutions 

Kjetil Fretheim, Professor at MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society and member of the National Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics. 

Grethe Netland, former Chair of the Committee for Research Ethics at the Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences (until June 2026). 

Elin Tingnæs Lid, Research Ethics Adviser and Secretary to the Ethics Council, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research. 

Kjersti Fjørtoft, Professor, Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, UiT The Arctic University of Norway. 

Anne Julie Semb, Dean at the University of Oslo and Chair of UHR-Social Sciences. 

Panel discussion with the speakers. 

11:20–11:45: Break 

(In English) 11:45–12:35: Part II: Research on preventive efforts in research ethics and research integrity 

Rosemarie de la Cruz Bernabe, Professor at the Centre for Medical Ethics, University of Oslo, and Project Coordinator of BEYOND – Beyond Bad Apples. 

Hella von Unger, Professor at the Department of Sociology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, and Matthias Kaiser, Professor Emeritus at the University of Bergen and Senior Researcher at NORSUS; partners in the CHANGER project (Challenges and Innovative Changes in Research Ethics Reviews). 

Panel discussion with the speakers. 

12:35–12:40: Break 

(In Norwegian) 12:40–13:20: Part III: Trust in research

Fredrik Thue, Professor at the Centre for the Study of Professions, Oslo Metropolitan University, and leader of the research group behind the reports A Climate for Freedom of Expression Under Pressure? and Integration and Integrity: Trust in Research in a Knowledge Society.

Conversation with the speaker.

(In Norwegian) 13:20–13:30: Concluding remarks and the way forward. Helene Ingierd. 

 

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