The role of the Research Ethics Council (Forskningsetiska rådet, FER)
The Research Ethics Council (Forskningsetiska rådet, FER) reviews degree projects at the bachelor's (first cycle) and master's (second cycle) levels to ensure that they are completed in ethically acceptable forms. The council also oversees the provision of education and information on research ethics in ways relevant to research and education.
FER issues statements on independent projects at the first-cycle and second-cycle levels that involve humans or human biological material. The council receives information about these projects through the research ethics application process. FER also assists in assessing research projects that, despite falling outside the scope of the Swedish Ethical Review Act, still require an ethical assessment.
The council's work is primarily with the two levels stated above: first cycle and second cycle. For doctoral students and researchers, it is this act that applies: Swedish Act (2003:460) concerning the ethical review of research involving humans. Applications for ethical review are submitted to the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (Etikprövningsmyndigheten, EPM). FER answers questions relating to applications for ethical review to this authority; note, however, that pre-submission reviews of such applications are not part of the council’s mandate.
Ethical review by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (Etikprövningsmyndigheten, EPM) is governed by Swedish legislation and is limited to data collection and processing conducted in Sweden. FER follows the same limitation.
Research ethics for students and researchers
When working on a thesis project that involves people and/or personal data, the work must be carried out in ethically acceptable forms.
Processing of personal data
Dalarna University restricts the processing of sensitive personal data and other particularly sensitive categories of personal data in student projects to the second-cycle (Master’s) level, with some exceptions. Exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis where the examiner determines that the processing of sensitive personal data is necessary for the student to achieve the intended learning outcomes of their education. This decision has been made to reduce the risk of personal data incidents and to ensure that the University complies with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Beslut - Behandling av personuppgifter i studentarbeten på grund- och avancerad nivå
Submit an application for a research ethics review
If you need to have your student thesis or degree project reviewed from a research ethics perspective, you are welcome to submit an application to the Research Ethics Council (FER). It is important that the information you provide is as complete as possible so that the council can properly assess the application.
You can get assistance with your student thesis or degree project and your application by following the guide titled "Personal data in academic papers – an eight-step guide". This can be found on the webpage titled Degree projects - Dalarna University.
FER meets about once every month: see the dates below under the heading "Meeting times". Feedback on applications is normally sent to the student and the supervisor approximately one week after the meeting.
For researchers and doctoral students
- Ansökningsformulär till Forskningsetiska nämnden för forskare (pdf)
- Anvisningar för ifyllandet av formuläret för forskare (pdf)
- Mall för informationsbrev - forskningsprojekt (pdf)
Before you submit your application to FER
Check off the following before you submit your application to FER:
- Complete project description with relevant appendices (e.g. interview guide, questionnaire)
- Information for study participants/research subjects in accordance with FER’s instructions
- Separate consent form
- Notification of personal data processing under GDPR and completion of the guide "Personal data in academic papers – an eight-step guide" on the webpage Degree projects - Dalarna University.
Statement after FER review of the degree project
| Statement – degree project* | What are my responsibilities as a student? |
| Follows good research practice | No further adjustments or actions are required. |
| Make your own revisions | Revisions described in the statement must be made in consultation with your supervisor. |
| Recommendation to return it to the FER chairperson | FER recommends that you submit the adjustments described in the statement to the FER chairperson for further review. |
| Recommendation to return it to FER | FER recommends that you send the adjustments described in the statement for further review at the next FER meeting. |
| Advises against proceeding | FER recommends that you do not proceed with your study plan. Reconsider your study in consultation with your supervisor. |
| Not applicable for FER statement | For the reason(s) described in the statement, the application is not eligible for review by FER |
* Note that the statement usually contains more specific comments and instructions.
Meeting times
FER typically meets four times each semester. Research ethics applications need to be submitted at least eight days ahead of a meeting date.
2026
Research ethics
The role of the Research Ethics Council
The council works to prevent and counteract research misconduct through informational activities and seminars. It is also handles incoming reports of research misconduct.
FER’s responsibility for research integrity extends to research projects conducted by Dalarna University employees.
See CODEX - Rules and Guidelines for Research
Research ethics for Dalarna University staff
The document Administrative Procedures in the Event of Research Misconduct and Deviations from Good Research Practice (pdf, in Swedish) explains how Dalarna University deals with research misconduct.
There are several important aspects of good research practice that researchers must consider. These are described, for example, in the Swedish Research Council’s publication God forskningssed, where Chapter 8, Vetenskaplig oredlighet, summarises the internationally accepted view on misconduct.
Good Research Practice, Swedish Research Council 2024 (pdf, in Swedish)
To enable the review of projects and withstand any potential allegations of research misconduct, research materials must also be documented and archived. The university has specific guidelines for what types of materials must be documented and archived.
For more information, contact arkiv@du.se.
See also:
Research data and personal data (staff website)
Council members
- Chairperson: Catrin Borneskog Sinclair
- Acting chairperson: David Gray
- Secretary: Kerstin Göras
- Members, humanities/social sciences: David Gray
- Members, ethics: Hajo Holtz
- Members, health sciences/medical sciences: Catrin Borneskog Sinclair
- Members, natural sciences/technology/engineering: Ilias Thomas (regular member)
- Student representatives: Anton Bergström (egular member) and Maria Taxell Stoltz (substitute)
- Arend Hintze (substitute)
Lunch seminars
Watch recordings from the Research Ethics Council lunch seminars.
Management of sensitive research data, 2022
Vilmantas Giedraitis, PhD