Responsible research
As a research and expertise organisation, we contribute to the chosen SDGs first and foremost by providing reliable information and research-based knowledge and solutions.
Research publications
We measure our progress on our five chosen UN SDGs by the number of research publications and the proportion of open access publications. To identify publications that contribute to the SDGs, we have used the BTA keywords developed at the University of Bergen for open access. These were used to identify the number of scientific peer-reviewed publications and the proportion of open access publications for each of the five objectives. The keyword-based method identifies terms defined in the keyword and mentioned in the sub-objectives or indicators of each objective from the titles, subject headings and abstracts of publications. The Bergen search terms were updated in November 2023 and these 2023 updated search terms have been used in the reporting.
We will also monitor the number of synthesis reports compiling and coordinating research data and policy briefs related to the SDGs. In 2024, we published seven policy briefs, two synthesis reports, three discussion papers and two EU position papers. The contents of these publications are described in more detail in the section on our work on the SDGs.
Ethical principles for research on the environment and organisms
In 2024, we will be the first in Finland to publish ethical principles for research on the environment and organisms. They laid the foundations for the Natural Sciences Ethics Committee, whose aim is to help researchers in the ethical consideration of their research. During the planning phase of a study, research teams assess whether the study will cause such significant harm that it should be subject to prior assessment. In the request for an opinion, the research team considers the harms and risks of the research in relation to the benefits, and the actions to minimise the harms and risks. Based on the information received, the Ethics Committee will give a favourable, conditionally favourable or unfavourable opinion. The aim of the ex-ante evaluation is to adapt the study design so that the study can be carried out. The ethical principles and the ex-ante evaluation process have been developed in close cooperation with The Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK.