Ethics and core values

The Core Values of Konstfack express the basic values that are held by all those active at Konstfack.

One Konstfack – many possibilities.

Our activities are characterised by humanism, critical and creative abilities as well as a commitment to environmentally and socially sustainable development. Our working methods are inclusive and provide space for those with differing opinions. We value playfulness, courage and artistic integrity. We show trust and treat each other with mutual respect.

The question of ethics must be dealt with in all forms of university education, the qualitative targets are clear on this. Within teacher training programmes, emphasis should be placed on human rights (and the Convention on the Rights of the Child in particular). The responsibility to ensure that this is the case falls to the authorities and decision-making organs responsible for education content, which, in course syllabi etc., should emphasise the question of ethics being included in teaching. In accordance with the Ethical Review Act, works done by first-cycle students do not constitute research and are therefore not subject to ethical review by any special authority1. The department, via the Head of Department or a supervisor, may however turn to the ethical review board of Konstfack (a committee of the Board for Artistic Research and Development) for a statement, see section 6.3. An investigation of legal aspects can be carried out via the Management Office.

The researcher's own ethical responsibility. It is the researcher who is mainly responsible for ensuring that the research is “of good quality and morally acceptable”. Reflecting on research ethics is considered a natural part of everyday research. The researcher - like other professionals - also has professional conduct to consider.

In The Swedish Research Councils (Vetenskapsrådet) booklet"Good Research Practice" (2017), gives a good research ethical area orientation and also has the following general recommendations:

1) You shall tell the truth about your research.
2) You shall consciously review and report the basic premises of your studies.
3) You shall openly account for your methods and results.
4) You shall openly account for your commercial interests and other associations.
5) You shall not make unauthorised use of the research results of others.
6) You shall keep your research organised, for example through documentation and filing.
7) You shall strive to conduct your research without doing harm to people, animals or the environment.
8) You shall be fair in your judgement of others' research.

Certain research methods require a permit. The Act concerning the Ethical Review of Research Involving Humans (2003:460, 2008:280:192) defines research as “scientific experimental or theoretical research to acquire new knowledge and development work on a scientific basis, with the exception of such work as is carried out within the framework of a first or second-cycle university programme.

A positive administrative culture (public ethos) should characterise all public administration. It will be based on values such as freedom of opinion and respect for the equality, freedom and dignity of all. Objectivity, impartiality, equal treatment, efficiency and service shall be key words when exercising our authority. We will work with our own integrity and the integrity of others in mind.