Research ethics for science and technology, 2 credits
Forskningsetik för naturvetenskap och teknologi
COURSE INFORMATION
Language of instruction: English
Course period: Spring 2026: 16-27 March (on campus); Autumn 2026: 14-25 September (on campus); 9-20 November (online)
Course structure: On campus or online interactive teaching consisting of 8 lectures, group work with presentations, and an individual written assignment.
RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITES
Registered for graduate studies on Science and Technology Faculty.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
After completing the course, students should be able to:
- Identify and characterise research-ethical and legal problems in their own and others’ research, including the interests and concerns of those involved in or affected by the research.
- Understand and apply relevant Swedish/EU laws, regulations and institutional policies (e.g., data protection and research data management, intellectual property/patents, publication and misconduct procedures, responsible AI use) using case-based exercises.
- Justify and communicate courses of action that are both ethically and legally defensible, including how compliance and accountability will be ensured.
LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR DOCTORAL DEGREE
After completing the course, PhD students should be able to demonstrate intellectual independence and scientific integrity as well as the ability to make research ethical judgments, and show in-depth insight into the possibilities and limitations of science, its role in society and people's responsibility for how it is used (see also the Act on Responsibility, SFS 2019:504).
COURSE CONTENTS
This course provides an introduction to research ethics and research integrity with a specific focus on the natural sciences, technology and engineering. The course is oriented towards the ethical and legal expectations placed on researchers working in Sweden.
In addition to introducing research-ethical frameworks and methods of ethical analysis, the course offers an in-depth perspective on publication ethics, legal requirements for data management, patents, and intellectual property, good research practice and misconduct, risk philosophy, and the use of AI in research. It further addresses ethical issues in interdisciplinary collaboration as well as the broader roles and responsibilities of research and researchers in society.
Main topics and components:
- Ethical theories and normative frameworks for scientific research
- Critical discussion of guidelines, regulations and governance of research in Sweden
- Good research practice, fraud and scientific misconduct
- Publication ethics, authorship and scientific writing
- Intellectual property, patents and technology transfer
- Dual-use concerns and researcher responsibility in science and engineering
- Risk philosophy; the ethics and value of scientific and technological progress
- Data management, compliance and the use of AI in research
- Interdisciplinary ethics and the role of the scientist in society
INSTRUCTION
The course consists of eight interactive lectures, group work with presentations, and an individual written assignment. The contents are research-driven, interactive and teacher-led; all teachers are active scholars in the fields covered and their current research is directly integrated into the pedagogical approach.
ASSESSMENT
The examination consists of a group presentation and completion of an individual project in research ethics.
COURSE EXAMINER
William Bülow O'Nils, william.bulow@crb.uu.se
DEPARTMENT WITH MAIN RESPONSIBILITY
Centre for Research Ethics & Bioethics, Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences.
CONTACT PERSON/S
William Bülow O'Nils, william.bulow@crb.uu.se
APPLICATION
Opportunity 1: 14-27 March 2026 (open, deadline 16 February 2026)
Opportunity 2: 14-25 September 2026 (not open, deadline 14 August 2026)
Opportunity 3: 9-20 November 2026 (not open, deadline 9 October 2026)