Greece
| Organisation | City |
|---|---|
| Athens School of Fine Arts | Athens |
| Aristotle University of Thessaloniki | Thessaloniki |
| International Hellenic University | Thessaloniki |
| National Technical University of Athens | Athens |
| Hellenic Mediterranean University | Agios Nikolaos, Heraklion, Ierapetra, Rethymno, Sitia, Chania |
| Agricultural University of Athens | Athens |
| National and Kapodistrian University of Athens | Athens |
| University of West Attica | Athens |
| University of Patras | Patras |
| University of Crete | Rethymnon |
| Technical University of Crete | Chania |
| University of Ioannina | Ioannina |
| Democritus University of Thrace | Komotini |
| University of Thessaly | Volos |
| Athens University of Economics and Business | Athens |
| Panteion University | Athens |
| University of Piraeus | Piraeus (Attica) |
| University of Macedonia | Thessaloniki |
| University of Western Macedonia | Kozani |
| University of the Peloponnese | Tripoli |
| University of the Aegean | Mytilene |
| Ionian University | Corfu |
| Harokopio University | Athens |
| The Greek Open University | Patras |
- ↑ EKT National Documentation Centre.Research & Development Expenditures in 2019 in Greece rises to 1.27% of GDP. 2020 Dec 14. [cited 2021 April 13]. Available from: https://www.ekt.gr/en/news/25197
- ↑ D.O.A.T.A.P. – Hellenic NARIC. Accredited Higher Education Institutes. [cited 2021 April 13]. Available from:http://www.doatap.gr/en/rechei.php
- ↑ OpenAIRE. Greece. Last updated 2020 April 27. [cited 2021 April 13]. Available from:https://www.openaire.eu/os-greece
Facts & FiguresGreece
Where
Research infrastructure
According to preliminary data, there were 40,084 full-time researchers in Greece in 2019 [1]. There are 24 universities. All the Higher Tertiary state-accredited universities and technological educational institutes in Greece are public [2]. There are also 40 public research centres including institutes and units that they are comprised of [3].
| Organisation | City |
|---|---|
| Athens School of Fine Arts | Athens |
| Aristotle University of Thessaloniki | Thessaloniki |
| International Hellenic University | Thessaloniki |
| National Technical University of Athens | Athens |
| Hellenic Mediterranean University | Agios Nikolaos, Heraklion, Ierapetra, Rethymno, Sitia, Chania |
| Agricultural University of Athens | Athens |
| National and Kapodistrian University of Athens | Athens |
| University of West Attica | Athens |
| University of Patras | Patras |
| University of Crete | Rethymnon |
| Technical University of Crete | Chania |
| University of Ioannina | Ioannina |
| Democritus University of Thrace | Komotini |
| University of Thessaly | Volos |
| Athens University of Economics and Business | Athens |
| Panteion University | Athens |
| University of Piraeus | Piraeus (Attica) |
| University of Macedonia | Thessaloniki |
| University of Western Macedonia | Kozani |
| University of the Peloponnese | Tripoli |
| University of the Aegean | Mytilene |
| Ionian University | Corfu |
| Harokopio University | Athens |
| The Greek Open University | Patras |
- ↑ EKT National Documentation Centre.Research & Development Expenditures in 2019 in Greece rises to 1.27% of GDP. 2020 Dec 14. [cited 2021 April 13]. Available from: https://www.ekt.gr/en/news/25197
- ↑ D.O.A.T.A.P. – Hellenic NARIC. Accredited Higher Education Institutes. [cited 2021 April 13]. Available from:http://www.doatap.gr/en/rechei.php
- ↑ OpenAIRE. Greece. Last updated 2020 April 27. [cited 2021 April 13]. Available from:https://www.openaire.eu/os-greece
Research funding
According to preliminary data, the gross expenditures on research and development were €2,336.58 million in 2019 [1][2], which comprises 1.27% of the country’s GDP [3]. Most funding was spent in the business sector (45.9%), higher education (30.7%), public sector (22.56%) and private non-profit organisations (0.84%) [3].
Greece had 2706 grants receiving €1.55 billion funding from H2020 [2]. It also had 40 ERC signed grants receiving €44.21 million from H2020 [2].
- ↑ Eurostat. GERD by sector of performance. Last updated 2021 March 10. [cited 2021 April 13]. Available from: https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=rd_e_gerdtot&lang=en
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 H2020 Projects. [cited 2021 April 13]. Available from: https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/dashboard/sense/app/93297a69-09fd-4ef5-889f-b83c4e21d33e/sheet/erUXRa/state/analysis
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 EKT National Documentation Centre.Research & Development Expenditures in 2019 in Greece rises to 1.27% of GDP. 2020 Dec 14. [cited 2021 April 13]. Available from: https://www.ekt.gr/en/news/25197
Research strategy
Research governance, compliance and integrity
There are two national bodies for research ethics and research integrity in Greece – the National Bioethics & Technoethics Committee (which replaced National Bioethics Commission), having consultative role, and the National Ethics Committee for Clinical Trials of the Ministry of Health at the National Organization for Medicines, the only relevant organisation with legal mandate in Greece [1]. Apart from those, the National Committee for the Protection of Animals used for Scientific Purposes (NCPASC) was established in 2013 as an entity of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food and advisory body regarding matters related to research with animals [2].
Besides the national organisations, there are local institutional research ethics committees in all Universities and Research Centres with the task of dealing with issues of research integrity as well [3].
All Greek Universities must have a Deontology Committee (DC). DCs are manned by the Deans and the vice-Rector responsible for Academic Affairs, Student Care and Lifelong Education. Their responsibilities include drafting a Code of Conduct (CoC) for academic, administrative and research issues, safeguarding the application of the CoC and pinpoint research misconduct, preparing an annual report concerning the application of the CoC and suggest any needed additions and examining allegation of research misconduct coming from the institute's community. If such an allegation has a basis a report is sent to the Rector to proceed with a formal investigation [3]. From March 2018, a Research Ethics and Deontology Committee (REDC) is active in each RPO. Their main task is to apply ethical assessment in research proposals [3]. All Greek Research Performing Organisations must also have Research Ethics and Deontology Committee (REDC) [3].
FORTH Ethics Committee (FEC), created in 2005, is an advisory body for the research personnel of FORTH. FEC provides ethical review of research proposals submitted by the researchers.
There are also two networks regarding research integrity, which work on the promotion and training to help scientists comply with the highest standards of research ethics and research integrity [3].
Ethical Aspects in Research and Technology for Human (EARTHnet) is a leading network regarding RE+RI. The network works on raising awareness among Greek academic community on research ethics and research integrity issues, promotes the institutionalisation of a national code of conduct for research and the establishment of a national research ethics and research integrity committee.
The Network of Responsible Conduct of Research in Greece (RCR-Greece) was founded by researchers, professors, scientists and professionals to promote research integrity and for the purpose of education and training for scientists in the field of research integrity.
Greece does not have a national code of conduct for research integrity but most universities have developed their codes, together with the code of research ethics. One of the priorities of the EARTHnet is to promote the establishment of the national research ethics and research integrity committee and drafting the National Code of Conduct for Research [4]. Ad-hoc committees or Research Performing Organisations, for example universities and research institutions, cope with cases of research misconduct. The procedures are described by the internal Code of Conduct of each institution [3]. The publication of cases of misconduct depends on each institution. For example, the Technological Educational Institute of Crete in its Code of Ethics states that sharing information with the community will be discussed in each case and then decided whether to publish information or not [5].
Greece does not have a law or a provision on whistleblower protection, so it is obliged to comply with the 2019 EU Directive to implement an ad-hoc legislation by the end of 2021 [6].
| Bodies for RE+RI | Scope |
| National Bioethics Commission | Investigates the ethical, social and legal aspects arising from research advances in biology, biotechnology, medicine genetics as well as those related to the development and social integration of new and emerging technologies. It also provides recommendations to the Prime Minister and the Parliament, collaborates with international organizations and related bodies, represents Greece to international fora, and informs the public on issues regarding biotechnological advances and the impact of their applications. It publishes the e-journal “BIOETHICA” and it organises educational activities for schools. |
| National Organization for Medicines | Aims to promote and regulate good clinical practice in the conduct of clinical trials. Moreover, it issues approval for clinical trials. |
| National Committee for the Protection of Animals used for Scientific Purposes (NCPASC) | Provides advices to the competent authorities, to the animal welfare bodies as well as to the Protocol Evaluation Committees on matters relating to the acquisition, breeding, accommodation, care and use of animals in procedures, for issues of the continuing education and training of persons who are involved in the implementation of the P.D. 56/2013 and also ensures the exchange and communication of best practices. It exchanges information on the functioning of the animal welfare bodies and the evaluation of projects by the competent central authority, as well as on best practices within the European Union. |
- ↑ Eurec European Network of Research Ethics Committees. National Information: Greece. [cited 2021 April 13]. Available from: http://www.eurecnet.org/information/greece.html
- ↑ NCPASC National Committee for the Protection of Animals used for Scientific Purposes. [cited 2021 April 23]. Available from: http://anilab.decentral.minagric.gr/index.php/en/
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Enrio. Country Report Greece. Last updated 2019 May. [cited 2021 April 13]. Available from:http://www.enrio.eu/country-reports/greece/
- ↑ Kavouras P, Koumoulos E, Foeger N, Lanzerath D, Kritikos M, Charitidis CA. EARTHnet: An initiative to promote a Research Integrity framework in Greece. 5th World Conference on Research Integrity. [cited 2021 April 13]. Available from: https://wcrif.org/images/2017/documents/1.%20Monday%20May%2029,%202017/5.%205A-00/P.%20Kavouras%20-%20EARTHnet;%20an%20initiative%20to%20promote%20a%20Research%20Integrity%20Framework%20in%20Greece.pdf
- ↑ Tei of Crete Technological Educational Institute of Crete. [cited 2021 April 13]. Available from: https://www.teicrete.gr/el/tei/12624
- ↑ Ethicontrol. When does whistleblowing start in Greece? [cited 2021 April 14]. Available from: https://ethicontrol.com/en/blog/greece-whistleblower-law
Laws and regulations
A number of laws regarding RE and RI are officially instated in Greece.
| Law | Scope |
| Act on the establishment of National Council of Medical Ethics and Deontology | Addresses the rights of hospital patients and provides greater protection for people admitted compulsorily. |
| Regulation (EU) 2016/679 | Aims to protect natural persons with regard to processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data. |
| Law 4624/2019: Protection of Personal Data and Measures for the Implementation of the GDPR | Enacts supplemental measures for the application of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and incorporates Directive (EU) 2016/680. |
| Act 2619/1998: ratification of the Oviedo Convention | This act implemented the Oviedo Convention in Greece. |
| Law No. 4009 of 2011 concerning the Structure, Function, and Quality of Studies, and the Internationalization of Higher Educational Institutions | Provides organizational structure for the universities. |
Measures to promote good scientific practices and open science
RI training
RCR-Greece has started to educate the Master’s students of two Greek Universities in Research Integrity by offering relevant lectures [1]. The Hellenic National Bioethics & Technoethics Commission and the Laboratory for the Research of Medical Law and Ethics organise seminars for postgraduate students of all the Schools of Positive and Theoretical Sciences, as well as professional lawyers, judges, doctors, educators and others. The seminars cover a wide range of critical issues including human reproduction, applications of genetics, clinical studies, euthanasia, cloning and nanotechnology. Moreover, the Commission is organising open, monthly seminars with various subjects including in vitro fertilization, gene therapy, medical errors, mental health etc. [2].
EARTHnet/NTUA has prepared and is organizing training courses on Research Ethics and Research Integrity for Postgraduate students and PhD candidates [3].
The courses have been customized for Engineers and graduates from Natural Sciences. The materials mainly used for RI trainings are:
What I Know about Bioethics -National Bioethics Committee (T. Vidalis, V. Mollaki)
The University of the Aegean – Code of Conduct
The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki – Code of Conduct in Research
The University of Crete - Code of Ethics
The University of Thessaly - Ethics Code
The Athens University of Applied Sciences – Code of Ethics
The Technological Educational Institute of Crete – Code of Ethics
RI dialogue and communication
The members of EARTHnet work on the promotion of research ethics and research integrity and on raising awareness on issues regarding RE and RI. The network has 15 members, from universities and research institutions [4]. The Athens Science Festival is organised since 2014 to bring closer science to the society. Thessaly Science Festival aims to present high-quality research in Greece to the general public and explain complicated scientific subjects in fun and creative ways.
Public awareness of research integrity needs to be boosted. The EARTHnet initiative works on the dissemination of its activities and promotion of research integrity through various newspapers [5]. Research integrity is occasionally discussed in press and is usually related to corruption or fraud.
RI incentives
There are several awards for outstanding and innovative researchers.
| Initiatives | Scope |
| RCR-Greece trainings | Training |
| Hellenic Republic National Bioethics Commission seminars | Training |
| Hellenic Authority for Higher Education | Accreditation |
| Bodossaki Foundation – Awards for Scientific Excellence | Support |
| Prix Galien Award | Support |
| Science Communication Awards –ΕΠΙ2 | Support |
- ↑ RCR-Greece Responsible Conduct of Research. About RCR – Greece. [cited 2021 April 13]. Available from:http://www.rcr.gr/index.php/en/
- ↑ Hellenic Republic National Bioethics Commission. [cited 2021 April 13]. Available from:http://www.bioethics.gr/index.php/el/seminaria/139-eleythera-seminaria
- ↑ ESA Earth Oline. LTC 2013 Web Streaming Programme. [cited 2021 April 13]. Available from:https://earth.esa.int/web/guest/landtrainingcourse2013/webstreaming
- ↑ Erhanet. Participants. [cited 2021 April 13]. Available from:http://earthnet.ntua.gr/participants/?lang=en
- ↑ Kavouras P, Koumoulos E, Foeger N, Lanzerath D, Kritikos M, Charitidis CA. EARTHnet: An initiative to promote a Research Integrity framework in Greece. 5th World Conference on Research Integrity. [cited 2021 April 13]. Available from: https://wcrif.org/images/2017/documents/1.%20Monday%20May%2029,%202017/5.%205A-00/P.%20Kavouras%20-%20EARTHnet;%20an%20initiative%20to%20promote%20a%20Research%20Integrity%20Framework%20in%20Greece.pdf
Guidelines
Greece
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Andrijana Perković Paloš, Elsa Amin contributed to this report. Latest contribution was Oct 25, 2021
