ALLEA Permanent Working Group on Science and Ethics (PWGSE)

The ALLEA Permanent Working Group on Science and Ethics (PWGSE) was concerned with a wide range of issues, both ‘internal’ (within the scientific community) and ‘external’ (relations between science and society). Since ethical considerations have been an essential component in the consolidation of a united Europe, and also in the creation of ALLEA, the PWGSE brought together experts from academies across Europe and provide them with a platform for continuous debate on research ethics and research integrity.

The flagship publication of the group is the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity, which was revised in 2023 and is regarded as one of the most comprehensive guides outlining how researchers should conduct their work. The Code is used as a reference document for all Horizon 2020 funded research grants and has been translated to many European languages as well as some languages further afield.

Central themes of the group include:

• Research Integrity
• Ethics Education as Part of Research Training
• Ethics of Scientific Policy Advice
• Role of Ethics Committees
• Science and Human Rights
• The Role of Science in Supporting Policymakers
• Reforming Research Assessment

Following the conclusion of ALLEA’s science policy restructuring in September 2025, the newly established Research Ethics and Integrity Council has integrated several activities previously carried out by the former ALLEA Permanent Working Group Science and Ethics.