UNITA code of ethics and conduct
The UNITA code of ethics and conduct is an essential document that defines the shared ethical values of the alliance: integrity, commitment, professionalism, diversity and inclusion, sustainability.
It sets out the expected behaviours for all members of the UNITA community — students, academic staff, and administrative personnel involved in collaborative activities. These values are translated into concrete guidance, such as avoiding conflicts of interest (integrity), fostering safe and inclusive work environments (commitment), ensuring respectful and confidential communication (professionalism), promoting gender equality (diversity and inclusion), and encouraging environmentally responsible choices (sustainability).
Purpose
The Code serves as a tool for self-regulation and decision-making, helping individuals and teams align their actions with UNITA’s values, even in complex or uncertain situations. It promotes transparency, accountability, and ethical awareness.
It also anticipates potential misconduct, supports the fair and timely resolution of ethical dilemmas, and encourages continuous learning through training, guidance and opportunities for reflection.
Relevance to the Alliance
By providing a shared ethical framework, the Code strengthens trust and collaboration among partner universities while respecting the autonomy of each institution. It ensures consistency in behaviour and decision-making across all UNITA initiatives.
With the support of a diverse Ethical Committee and practical tools such as advisory services and a secure whistleblowing platform, the Code reinforces the alliance’s reputation as a responsible, inclusive, and forward-thinking academic network.
UNITA ethical committee and reporting channels
Established in accordance with the UNITA Code of Ethics and Conduct, the UNITA ethical committee serves as an advisory body dedicated to supporting ethical decision-making, ensuring compliance with shared standards, and promoting a culture of ethics through guidance, training, and dissemination activities.
Appointed by the UNITA Governance Board in September 2025, the Committee will serve until 31st October 2027.
Reflecting the alliance’s values of diversity and inclusion, the Committee brings together members from different institutions and professional backgrounds across UNITA. The appointed members are:
- Leire San-José (University of the Basque Country, Spain), coordinator
- Raffaella Cassano (University of Brescia, Italy)
- Maria Goreti (University of Beira Interior, Portugal)
- Geneviève Le Fort (University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Switzerland)
- Pablo Ruiz Calvo (University of Zaragoza, Spain).
How to contact the committee
The Committee is available to the entire UNITA community for advice on ethical matters or the application of the Code of Ethics and Conduct.
Members can be contacted directly at [email protected].
Reporting misconduct (whistleblowing)
To ensure a safe, transparent, and responsible academic environment, UNITA also provides a confidential whistleblowing mechanism for reporting potential breaches of the Code, including issues related to integrity, professionalism, discrimination, or sustainability.
Anyone who witnesses or experiences unethical behaviour may submit a report through the dedicated whistleblowing form.
All submissions are treated with the highest level of confidentiality and fairness. The identity of the whistleblower is protected to the greatest extent possible, and UNITA strictly prohibits any form of retaliation against individuals who raise concerns in good faith.