Ethics-Committee

Ethical conduct and responsible reporting of research is crucial to inspire trust with the public, within the scientific community, and among colleagues. The University Ethics Committee (UEK) was established in May 2020 as a permanent committee of the University Senate (“Regenz”) to foster ethical awareness and ensure the optimal application of the principles of research ethics at the University of Basel. The UEK also advises the President’s Office (“Rektorat”) on ethical matters and represents the University to the public on ethical issues. Please refer to the website of the UEK for more information.

The committee is currently composed of six members of diverse scientific backgrounds: Prof. Dr. Jens Gaab, Psychology; Prof. Dr. Sabine Gless, Law; Prof. Dr. Claudia Lengerke, Medicine; Prof. Dr. Oliver Nachtwey, Social Sciences; Prof. Dr. Heiko Schuldt, Computer Science; Dr. Ralf Stutzki, Ethics), the Data Protection Officer (lic. jur. Danielle Kaufmann), the Chief Information Security Officer (Ernestine Schikore), and is chaired by the Vice President for Research, Prof. Dr. Torsten Schwede.

Which categories of research projects must be submitted to the UEK?

On request by the researchers, the UEK reviews ethical aspects of research projects conducted at the University of Basel. An assessment by the UEK is mandatory for projects involving significant ethical risks. These include projects that involve vulnerable populations, sensitive personal data, potential harm to the participants or third parties, observation or tracking of participants, processing large data sets with personal data (Big Data), processing of genetic data for the purpose of identifying a natural person, and projects involving technology that could be used for military applications (“dual use”). The UEK does not review research projects which fall within the scope of the Human Research Act (HRA), these are under the responsibility of the Cantonal Ethics Committee (EKNZ).

Is your research project ethically sensitive and does it have to be evaluated by the UEK and/or the Data Protection Officer?

You can assess whether your project requires an evaluation from the UEK and/or from the Data Protection Officer by filling in the Ethics Questionnaire. If your research project requires ethics assessment, please fill in the application form and send it to uek@unibas.ch. The application form, guidelines and further documentation can be downloaded here. Please send your application at least three weeks before the Ethics Committee meeting (dates of upcoming UEK meetings can be consulted here).

A service for all researchers of the University of Basel

For any questions relating to ethical aspects of your research project, please contact Dr. Isabelle Wienand, Managing Director of the UEK (uek@unibas.ch). For questions related to data protection, please contact the University Data Protection Officer, lic. jur. Danielle Kaufmann (datenschutz@unibas.ch)