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Ethics and protection of rights

Code of Ethics

The basic ethical requirements for the conduct of Masaryk University employees with regard to their professional and work activities are summarised in the Masaryk University Code of Ethics and the MU Work Regulations. In the event of a suspected violation of the MU Code of Ethics, a complaint may be filed with the MU Ethics Committee. These Rules of Procedure of the MU Ethics Committee are effective as of 1 January 2024.

On 16 February 2024, the FI Academic Senate approved the Code of Ethics for Practitioners at the Faculty of Informatics. This Code describes the standards of practitioners' approach to their teaching and to students, which have been agreed by the FI MU academic community. It supplements and explains the provisions of the MU Code of Ethics in the context of FI MU practitioners. Its purpose is to contribute to the quality of teaching at FI, the professionalism of practitioners and a fair approach to learners.

Research ethics at MU

Ethical aspects of research conducted at Masaryk University involving human subjects, including work with biological material of human origin, are dealt with by the Research Ethics Committee. The Research Ethics Committee reviews projects from all departments of Masaryk University except the Faculty of Medicine.

In case of questions concerning obligations arising from legal regulations related to research ethics issues, the Research Lawyers can be contacted.
Regarding classified information, the MU Security Director JUDr. Naděžda Horynova, Head of the Control Department of the MU Rector's Office, can be contacted.
In the area of legal protection, the lawyers of the MU Centre for Technology Transfer provide advice.

Plagiarism and plagiarism detection at MU

Plagiarism is the use of other sources without proper reference where the original work is expected. This includes careless or inaccurate citation of literature used, failure to cite (even unintentionally) a source used. It is essential to follow the rules of citation and publication ethics when producing scholarly texts. Detailed information can be found on the MU website.

The question of how to search for plagiarism is related to plagiarism. Masaryk University uses a special application implemented in the MU Information System to detect potential plagiarism. The application is publicly available on the Theses.cz website. The system for searching for similarities in the text allows for mutual comparison of documents that are part of its database. Using the "egg to egg" function, it is possible to find documents with similar content to a given document, i.e. potential plagiarism. This tool can be used by teachers, administrators and students. Below you will find information and a link to the training course "Plagiarism and similarity search applications in IS MU" as well as guides on how to avoid plagiarism.

Protection of rights and submissions towards protection of rights

Masaryk University subscribes to the protection of rights in the MU Code of Ethics, in the HR Award implementation measures and other documents. Masaryk University has processes in place to ensure that these rights are protected effectively, impartially and efficiently at Masaryk University, and to ensure that assistance is available and that whistleblowers and victims of interference with these rights are protected.

The protection of rights is governed by MU Directive 1/2023 Protection of Rights, effective April 1, 2023. The MU Ombudsperson is JUDr. Eva Janovičová. The Ombudsperson may be contacted in the following ways:

by e-mail to ochrancezgRl4El2h@munipx22Pmbq7.cz,
using the online contact form on the MU Rights Protection website,
in person, through a pre-arranged consultation with the ombudsman,
via MU mailbox, mailbox ID: 9tmj9e4,
MU central or electronic mailroom,
by post 'to the Ombudsman' at the MU address.

Discrimination and unequal treatment

Discrimination and unequal treatment is dealt with by the Equal Opportunities Panel.

Processing and protection of personal data

Detailed information can be found in the MU GDPR signpost, which contains links to MU's central information systems that process personal data. The links lead either to a page with information about the processing of personal data in the system or to a page providing access to the user's personal data within the system. This serves to support the right of data subjects (MU employees, students and external collaborators) to access their personal data and the transparency of processing activities.

The data protection officer is Mgr. Iva Zlatušková, Head of the MU Data Protection Officer's Office.

News, manuals and training for employees

New MU e-course "Social Security in the Academic Environment"

From 1 July 2024, a new MU e-course "Social Security in the Academic Environment", developed by the MU University-wide Rights Protection Unit, was launched in the MU Information System. Completion of the course is voluntary.

In the course, employees will learn what social safety is, how inappropriate behaviour can undermine it, how to notice inappropriate behaviour, how to intervene against it and who to contact if you need a helping hand. The course follows the mission of Masaryk University, which is, among other things, to contribute to a free, cohesive and safe society. It can only fulfil such a mission through the members of its university community. By their participation in the academic environment, they accept the values of respect, freedom and responsibility, which are also reflected in the MU Code of Ethics.

By completing the course, employees will become familiar with the conditions Masaryk University sets for maintaining a safe and healthy learning and working environment in which no member of the university community is exposed to inappropriate behaviour.

Respect to Campus* workshops

On 9 April 2024 at 16: 00, a practical and interactive workshop Respect to the *academic* will be held at the MU Rector's Office (Kounic Hall, 5th floor) for male and female students who wish to gain a basic insight into the topic of sexual harassment in the specific environment of Czech universities. Registration.

On May 7, 2024 at 9:00 a. m., CERPEK (Komenský nám.) will host a hands-on, interactive workshop, Respect to *Academia, which aims to provide male and female employees with information and tools that form the prevention component of addressing sexual harassment, bullying and violence on campus. The workshop is an introduction to the topic of sexual harassment. For more information and to register, visit the CERPEK website.

On May 16, 2024, at 10:00 a. m., the Respect to Campus II workshop will be held at CERPEK (Comenius Square). * academic. The workshop is intended for people who have already attended the initial workshop Respect to Soil I. We will introduce the topic of gender-based violence and sexual harassment in a broader context and link it to the related topics of intersectionality, physical and psychological violence, economic and financial violence, sexual and cyber violence. We will deepen our understanding of the bystander or bystander effect and practice how to talk to a victim of harassment in a practical exercise. For more information and an application form, please visit the CERPEK website.

These workshops were attended by members of FI's Human Resources and Doctoral and International Studies departments.

Lecture "Copyright in the context of generative AI"

On April 2, 2024 at 14:30 (room A217), a lecture will be given as part of the Computer Science Colloquium on Copyright in the context of generative AI. The lecturer is doc. JUDr. Matěj Myška, Ph.D. from the Faculty of Law of MU.

Abstract:"Generative artificial intelligence (AI) presents a significant challenge to copyright law, raising fundamental questions about authorship, ownership, and infringement. This talk will explore the evolving landscape of copyright in the context of generative AI, addressing key principles, priorities, and practical considerations. It will examine the tension between AI as a mere tool and as an author, the implications for copyrightability, and the potential for infringement. The discussion will also encompass the need for collaboration, adaptability, and the preservation of human creativity in the face of mechanistic outputs. By delving into these complex issues, the talk aims to provide insights into the intersection of generative AI and copyright law, offering guidance for stakeholders and policymakers in navigating this rapidly evolving field." This abstract was generated by perplexity.ai when prompted "Please create an abstract for an academic talk entitled "Copyright Aspects of Generative AI"". Is this output copyrighted? Who is the author? Are there any pertaining rights to this output? Who could exercise them and how is this regulated contractually in the Terms and Conditions of the most popular providers of the AI services? Is the training of the AI system copyright infringement? In my talk I will focus exactly on these questions within the EU and CZ regulatory framework. The cases currently handled by US courts will also be discussed.

Lecture Ethical Challenges and Building Integrity in Academia

Annotation. This workshop will provide a space to discuss key aspects of whistleblowing and ethical challenges in the academic environment. We will explore different perspectives on the issue, both locally and globally, as well as look at research findings and the search for solutions to promote integrity and ethics in education. Participants will have the opportunity to openly discuss these topics and together we will also look at strategies for how students can actively promote academic integrity, a culture of openness, fairness and accountability at their university.

Program:

The role of student representatives in the counselling system (Mgr. Dagmar Čaďová, Counselling Centre)
Introduction of the University-wide Rights Protection Unit (JUDr. Eva Janovičová, MU Ombudsman)
Lecture Ethical challenges and building integrity in the academic environment (Ing. Veronika Krásničan, expert in academic ethics)

The lecture will take place at the Faculty of Informatics on 4 April 2024 at 18.00 in room D3.

Preventing workplace bullying: a guide for universities

Karolinum Publishing House has published a book by doc. Mgr. Prevention of workplace bullying: a guide for universities. This publication is a collection of expert and practically applicable information on bullying in higher education.

The guide is divided into two thematic parts, with the first part being primarily educational in nature and focusing on defining the phenomenon of workplace bullying itself, while the second part offers an overview of the main recommended prevention and intervention measures and policies against bullying that can be implemented at universities.

Recommendations for individual staff members are also included, including strategies for defending against bullying.

The publication is freely downloadable HERE.

Guides to avoiding plagiarism

Below you can download two guides by Mgr. Tomáš Foltýnek, Ph.D. et al. on plagiarism. The first handbook, How to Prevent Plagiarism in Student Work, is intended for academic staff as a clear guide to situations that may arise in relation to plagiarism in everyday university life. The handbook covers aspects of the originality of work, introduces forms of plagiarism, gives guidance on how to explain to students the meaning of referencing sources, but also how to spot plagiarism and what software tools can be used to do so.

The handbook is also available:

The second guide, How to avoid plagiarism, is for students. It includes topics on: where to get your own ideas, how to properly cite different sources, what exactly is considered plagiarism, how to avoid different forms of plagiarism, examples of (in)famous plagiarism, the three O's against plagiarism, as well as some tips on how not to fall into a time crunch.

The handbook is also available:

Writing custom papers

Contract cheating is an offence where a person uses an unacknowledged or unauthorised third party to help them produce a piece of work in order to gain credit, credit, academic progression or similar advantage. The general public is particularly aware of this issue in connection with the offers of commercial companies that advertise their work on the Internet.

E-book by Ing. Jan Mach, Ph.D., Mgr. Tomáš Foltýnek, Ph.D. et al. entitled How to Prevent Contract Writing shows how to prevent contract writing, followed by a description of important cases, legislation and research both abroad and in the Czech Republic.

Plagiarism and application of similarity search in IS MU

Plagiarism and unethical practices in the academic environment and a practical introduction to the application of similarity search in IS - this is the main content of the training course Plagiarism and similarity search application in IS MU, which is taught by the staff of the Faculty of Informatics Mgr. Tomáš Foltýnek, Ph.D. from the Department of Machine Learning and Data Processing and Ing. Jitka Brandejsová from the Centre for Computer Science.

The training also includes a practical presentation of the similarity search application in the MU Information System Similarity Detection - Eggs to Eggs.

You can watch the training session of 1 hour 40 minutes HERE (it is necessary to log in to the Employee Portal).

A guide to the legal use of images and other non-text resources

How to proceed if you want to supplement a technical text with, for example, an image or other non-textual resource? What are non-text resources? Anything that can be used in a paper that is not text, i.e. photographs, drawings, technical drawings, graphs, infographics, pictograms, tables, maps, multimedia sources, etc.

Is it necessary to obtain the author's permission for the image? What is the correct way to provide source references for reproductions of artworks? Under what conditions can I use my own photographs taken on the premises of a foreign organisation? Can I use photographs taken by strangers?

The Guide to the Legal Use of Images and Other Non-Text Resources seeks to provide answers to these and other questions.

GDPR - basic concepts and processes of the regulation

In 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, came into force. Its purpose is to protect the personal data of citizens and thereby contribute to the protection of their privacy. The purpose of the e-course (you must log in to the Staff Portal) is to provide Masaryk University staff with basic information about this regulation.

Course content:

Basic concepts and information,
principles of personal data processing,
rights of individuals.

At MU, the basic document for personal data protection and GDPR is the MU Directive Protection and Processing of Personal Data 01/2018. There are also a number of Methodology Sheets of the MU Rector's Office Legal Department to follow. Some of the most important areas include taking photographs and video recordings of events, regulating contractual relations with external companies or obtaining consent from data subjects.