Institutional Research Ethical Review Board

In order to ensure the ethics of scientific research and the protection of research participants, Mykolas Romeris University

established a Institutional Research Ethical Review Board on 20 January 2025 by Order No. 1I-14 of the Rector.

The Committee operates in accordance with the 2024 recommendations of the Lithuanian Ombudsman for Academic Ethics and Procedures and is responsible for assessing the ethical compliance of research and providing advice prior to the commencement of research involving humans, animals or the collection of personal data.

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The Board’s purpose

The Board is responsible for ensuring:

• the protection of the rights, dignity and well-being of research subjects,
• the compliance of research with high standards of academic integrity,
• the proper handling of data and the protection of personal data,
• the quality and transparency of scientifically sound research,
• public trust in the academic community.

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Membership of the Board

The Committee consists of 12 members representing different scientific fields. Members are appointed for a term of three years with the possibility of renewal for one additional term. The Committee operates on the basis of a quorum (at least half of the members), and decisions are taken by open vote. The work of the Committee is organised by the chair and the secretary.

• Prof. Romas Prakapas, Professor at the Institute of Educational Sciences and Social Work, Faculty of Human and Social Studies (Chair of the Board);
• Assoc. Prof. Vida Česnuitytė, Associate Professor, Institute of Education and Social Work, Faculty of Human and Social Studies;
• Assoc. Prof. Rūta Dačiulytė, Associate Professor, Institute of Management and Political Sciences, Faculty of Public Administration and Business;
• Prof. Dr. Dangis Gudelis, Professor at the Institute of Public Administration, Faculty of Public Governance and Business;
• Prof. Dr. Vaidas Jurkevičius, Professor at the Institute of Private Law, Law School;
• Dr. Rūta Latinytė, Lecturer at the Institute of Communication, Faculty of Human and Social Studies;
• Prof. Dr. Marius Laurinaitis, Professor at the Centre for Legal Technology (LegalTech), Law School;
• Prof. Dr. Aurelija Pūraitė, Vice-Dean for Research and Project Activities, Public Security Academy;
• Dr. Giedrė Sabaliauskaitė, Senior Researcher at the Faculty of Public Governance and Business;
• Prof. Dr. Rūta Marija Vabalaitė, Professor at the Institute of Humanities, Faculty of Human and Social Studies;
• Prof. Dr. Asta Vasiliauskaitė, Professor at the Institute of Business and Economics, Faculty of Public Governance and Business, Acting Director;
• Prof. Dr. Rimantas Vosylis, Professor at the Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Human and Social Studies.

Agata Katkonienė, Head of Research Quality and analysis Unit (performing the duties of a secretary).

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Functions of the Board

• Assess the ethical compliance of research applications prior to the start of research.
• Advise researchers on ethical and data protection issues.
• Mediate in cases of ethical concerns.
• Prepare recommendations and reports, contribute to the improvement of research policy.
• Ensure the rights of research participants and data protection.

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The Board evaluates

• Only applications from MRU researchers.
• Only research that has not yet begun and involves human subjects, animals or the collection of personal data.

The Board does not evaluate:

• Research conducted by bachelor’s and master’s students.
• The scientific quality of research.

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Submission and review procedure

• Researchers submit applications via the eDVS system (E. vidaus dokumentas – Dokumento rūšis: Paraiška – Registras: 10VD – Byla: 7.10 E-320 – Vizuoja Agata Katkonienė – Pasirašo tyrimo vadovas)
• Doctoral students – by email to the Board mkas@mruni.eu
• Applications will be accepted until 12 September 2025 (the schedule for 2025-2026 will be announced in September).
• Applications will be considered within 20 working days.
• The minutes of the meetings will be recorded and extracts of the decisions will be provided to the applicant.

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Announcement of approved research

Information about approved research is made public. The following data is published:

• name of the research,
• researchers,
• data collection and analysis methods,
• field of research,
• expected scientific output,
• source of funding.

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Required documents

(at this stage, all documents are only available in the official language)

For Researchers:

• Atitikties mokslinių tyrimų etikai komiteto veiklos nuostatai

• paraiškos forma (3 priedas);

• duomenų valdymo planas (4 priedas);

• informuoto asmens sutikimas (5 priedas);

• priedas dėl DI naudojimo tyrimuose (6 priedas).

For Board members:

• konfidencialumo pasižadėjimas (1 priedas);

• nepriekaištingos reputacijos deklaravimas (2 priedas).

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Related legislation and guidelines

The Committee operates in accordance with the 2024 Order of the Lithuanian Ombudsman for Academic Ethics and Procedures ‘On the Approval of Guidelines for the Assessment of Compliance with Research Ethics,’ which sets out general principles and recommendations for the activities of institutional committees.

Read the document: https://etikostarnyba.lt/en/recommendations/ 

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Contact

If you have any questions regarding your application, please contact us by email: mkas@mruni.eu