The NERE recommendation
TENK's recommendation Ethical principles for research involving nature and the environment and a proposal for organising ethical review in Finland was published in the publication series of the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK in June 2026. The work was carried out in the project Ethical Principles and Ethical Review Cooperation in Nature and Environmental Research (LYTE), coordinated by TENK and funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture.
The NERE recommendation in Finnish:
The NERE recommendation in English:
The NERE recommendation in Swedish: forthcoming in 2026.
Project description
The objective of the LYTE project was to establish national ethical guidelines and ethical review for research on nature and the environment in Finland. The project was funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture and carried out by the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK. The purpose of the project is to increase awareness of the impacts of research on nature and the environment. The subject area is related to research in several different disciplines, such as Natural Sciences and Engineering, Biosciences, Health and the Environment and Social Sciences and Humanities. The aim is thus to develop ethical discussion and reflection in the research conducted in these fields. The project was carried out between 1.9.2023 and 30.6.2026.
Working group
The recommendation was drafted by a working group appointed by TENK, with members of TENK’s secretariat. The working group was chaired by Sirpa Thessler, TENK's former Vice-chair and Director of Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke). Working group members:
- Juha Helenius, Professor, University of Helsinki
- Teppo Hujala, Professor, University of Eastern Finland
- Emilia Jääskeläinen, Doctoral Researcher, University of Oulu (until 31 December 2025)
- Elina Kaarlejärvi, Academy Research Fellow, University of Helsinki
- Hermanni Kaartokallio, Leading Researcher, Finnish Environment Institute
- Karoliina Koho, Head of Science and Innovations, Geological Survey of Finland GTK
- Simo Kyllönen, University Lecturer, University of Helsinki; member of TENK
- Essi Laitinen, Research Scientist, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd. (until 31 August 2025)
- Susanna Näreaho, Senior Advisor, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences; TENK's Vice-chair
- Eva Ruusuvuori, University Lecturer, University of Helsinki
- Riitta Salmelin, Professor, Aalto University; member of TENK
- Anu Valtonen, Professor, University of Lapland
-
Indrė Žliobaitė, Professor, University of Helsinki; member of Research Ethics Committee in the Natural, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering of University of Helsinki (Spring 2025)
The project was coordinated by Adviser Veera Launis, TENK (Oona Myllyntaus in substitute position, 23 September 2024–31 August 2025).
Steering Group
A steering group supported the implementation of the project. The Chair of the steering group was Professor emerita Riitta Keiski, former Chair of TENK. Steering group members:
- Laura Höijer, Research Director, Ministry of the Environment of Finland
- Minttu Jaakkola, Executive Director of Puistokatu 4, The Association of Finnish Foundations
- Emilia Kilpua, Professor (University of Helsinki), The Council of Finnish Academies
- Elina Nikkola, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland
- Maaria Nordman, Professor (Aalto University), The Council of Rectors of Finnish Universities (Unifi)
- Riikka Paloniemi, Director, Societal change unit (Finnish Environment Institute), Finnish Research Institute Partnership (Tulanet)
- Minna Räisänen, Science Adviser, Research Council of Finland
- Janne Salminen, Leading Research Scientist (HAMK), The Rectors’ Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences Arene
- Sanna-Kaisa Spoof, secretary general, the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK
- Laura Taajamaa, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Education and Culture (until 31 August 2025)
Background work of the guidelines: a needs assessment and a series of discussion events
A needs assessment on the need for national ethical principles and ethical review in the fields of nature and environment was published in early 2023. Starting in August 2024, TENK organised a series of discussion events, which deals with thematic issues of research on nature and the environment. The themes covered aquatic environments, terrestrial environments, climate and outer space, animals, and nature cultures and society.
News article of 11 December 2023 regarding the start of the project.
Past events
Ethical Questions in Research on Aquatic Environments, discussion event, 30 August 2024
Presentation:
Ethical Questions in Research on Terrestrial Environments, discussion event, 26 September 2024
Presentations:
Ethical Questions in Research on Atmosphere and Outer Space, discussion event, 20 November 2024
Presentations:
Ethical questions in animal research, discussion event, 30 January 2025 at 10-12
Ethical issues of research on nature-cultures and society, discussion event, 27 February 2025 at 13-16
Presentations:
Source
The Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK. Veera Launis ja Eero Kaila. Luontoon ja ympäristöön kohdistuvan tutkimuksen kansallisten eettisten periaatteiden ja eettisen ennakkoarvioinnin tarvekartoitus. Study of The Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK 2022. Publications of The Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK 1/2023.
Photo: Juan Davila / Unsplash
