Academic freedom policy (16.2.6)

Széchenyi István University formally guarantees academic freedom through its Code of Conduct (Etikai Kódex). The code applies to all employees of the University, irrespective of the type of their employment or other work-related legal relationship with the University (Scope of the Code, §1(1), p. 3). The Code recognizes lecturers and researchers as key contributors to the University’s value creation and explicitly safeguards their educational and research freedom. This includes the freedom to choose research topics, the freedom to publicly teach and discuss their areas of expertise, and openness to different research methodologies, scientific viewpoints, and artistic approaches. The University further commits itself to respecting freedom of expression, freedom of learning, freedom of teaching, freedom of research, equal treatment, and non-discrimination, thereby fostering an academic environment that supports independent inquiry, intellectual diversity, and scholarly debate. (Preamble; General Ethical Principles §2(3); Ethical Norms for Lecturers and Researchers §3(1)-(2), pp. 3-4, 7-8)

Because the Code applies to every employee irrespective of the type of employment, these freedoms apply equally to junior academics (assistant lecturers, assistant professors, doctoral researchers) and to senior academics (associate and full professors), in both research and teaching.

The Code also establishes ethical safeguards that support the exercise of academic freedom. The University expects lecturers and researchers to conduct their work in accordance with the principles of good faith, honesty, reliability, objectivity, openness, and impartiality. Academic staff are encouraged to participate actively in national and international scientific communities, continuously develop their expertise, and contribute to the dissemination of knowledge. At the same time, the Code protects academic activities from discrimination, unfair treatment, and improper influence, thereby ensuring that teaching and research can be pursued according to scholarly and professional standards. (Ethical Norms for Lecturers and Researchers §3(2), §3(7)-(8), pp. 7-9)

The protection of academic freedom is supported by the University’s Ethics Committee, established under the Code of Conduct. The Committee’s primary objective is to ensure that the principles of the Code are reflected in university practice and to facilitate the resolution of ethical conflicts. University citizens who believe that their rights, academic freedoms, or ethical standards have been violated may seek redress through formal ethical procedures. The Ethics Committee operates according to impartiality and conflict-of-interest requirements and provides a structured mechanism through which concerns can be investigated and resolved. (Ethics Committee §9; Ethics Procedure §10, pp. 17-21)