Technology, Risk and Research Ethics
The course addresses questions such as “Is technology research value-neutral? Are there types of research no one should conduct for ethical reasons? How can unethical research be stopped?”. The course introduces ethical concepts, theories, questions and rules of relevance to technology and engineering research.
The aim of the course is to provide an introduction to the most important theories and issues of normative ethics and research ethics relevant to technology and engineering research and to introduce ethical issues related to risk assessments.
Course instruction
The course consists of lectures, seminars, group discussions and written assignments. The course starts with an introductory part providing general knowledge of normative ethics relevant to technology and engineering research and then deals with ethical issues associated with risk assessments and key issues, concepts and applications of research ethics.
The assessment is based on reports of written assignments. For a Pass on the course, the participant must have attended at least 80 % of the scheduled activities and completed and passed all assignments in the course.
The course is taught in English.
Admission
To be admitted to the course applicants have to be part of a PhD programme at LTH.
Scope
The course corresponds to 3 weeks of full-time work and to 4,5 credits in third-cycle (PhD) studies (with Pass and Fail as available grades), if this is in line with the individual study plan.
Course litterature
European Commission (2010). European Textbook on Ethics in Research (Available online)
Gustafsson, B., Hermerén, G. & Pettersson, B (2011). Good Research Practice. Swedish Research Council. (Available online)
A selection of research articles and law texts will be made available at the start of the course.
Course instructor
Niklas Vareman, Department of Medical Ethics
niklas.vareman@med.lu.se