The Finnish Union of University Professors and Sivista: The safety of research and researchers must be guaranteed

Sivista and the Finnish Union of University Professors jointly organised a traditional seminar on academic leadership on 14 November. This time, the topic was the safety of research.

Safety aspects have become a key part of research work, especially in international cooperation. Universities and research organisations, as well as funders and researchers, must more systematically identify and manage risks related to, for example, the transfer of critical information, technology or expertise, national security, ethical issues and the integrity of research.

“Questions about the safety of research are highlighted in the uncertain global political situation, when various attempts to influence the openness of science, academic freedom and the independence of the scientific community are being targeted. We must safeguard the reliability of research-based information and the prerequisites for research activities, and we must continuously create a common situational picture of the factors threatening independence in the changed security environment,” says Susanna Niinistö-Sivuranta, CEO of Sivista.

“Influencing activities aimed at the university community have increased in recent years. It is very important that the principal investigators of research projects receive sufficient support in matters related to the safety of research. Our common task is to defend academic freedom,” says Tarja Niemelä, Executive Director of the Finnish Union of University Professors.

For more information

Tarja Niemelä, tel. 050 340 2725
Executive Director, Finnish Union of University Professors

Susanna Niinistö-Sivuranta, tel. 050 511 5382
CEO, Sivista