Ethics for Research Integrity

CETRAD operates with a well-structured and participatory governance system, including a scientific board, research group coordinators, a scientific council, an executive committee, and an external advisory committee. This structure ensures transparency and accountability, particularly in alignment with international ethical standards for research, such as those by the European Commission and the ALLEA – All European Academies. CETRAD’s host institutions – UTAD, Lusófona University and Europeia University – have Ethics Committees (EC) that oversee the ethical aspects of research involving PhD students and researchers, ensuring adherence to high standards of integrity, human rights, and sustainability. CETRAD’s research involves human participants, who voluntarily give informed consent. Research involving vulnerable groups is handled with extra care, requiring institutional mediation and thorough risk assessments to avoid harm. Personal data is managed according to strict confidentiality and data protection legal regulations (GDPR, CNPD). CETRAD emphasizes ethical awareness in all research activities, including civil applications and sustainability. PhD students and members are trained in ethical research practices, and CETRAD promotes a culture of gender equality and respect among its staff, guided by institutional policies on harassment prevention and gender equality.