Karadeniz Technical University recognises academic freedom as one of the fundamental ethical principles of scientific and academic life and supports the free conduct of scientific research, education and teaching, knowledge production, and knowledge dissemination within the framework of academic ethics, scientific integrity, and relevant legislation.
The University’s approach to academic freedom is institutionally supported through the Ethical Conduct Principles for Higher Education Institutions, the KTU Directive on Scientific Research and Publication Ethics, the regulations of ethics committees operating within the University, and the ethical rules adopted by individual academic units.
Recognition of Academic Freedom as a Fundamental Ethical Principle
Within the ethical regulations applied at Karadeniz Technical University, academic freedom is explicitly recognised as one of the fundamental ethical principles of university life and academic activity.
The ethical regulations published within KTU identify the following among the fundamental principles of academic life:
The same regulations also explicitly state that the advancement of science should be supported and that the freedoms of accessing information, providing information, learning, and teaching should be protected.
This approach demonstrates that the University recognises academics’ freedom to produce scientific knowledge, disseminate knowledge, and carry out teaching activities as an institutional ethical value.
Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/dosyalar/eczacilik_08047.pdf
Freedom of Scientific Research
Scientific research activities at the University are conducted within the framework of scientific methodology, research ethics, and academic integrity.
On the University’s official webpage concerning ethical conduct principles, the KTU Directive on Scientific Research and Publication Ethics is published as one of the principal institutional documents governing academic and scientific activities. The Ethical Conduct Principles for Higher Education Institutions are also presented on the same webpage as a core component of the University’s academic ethics framework.
This framework creates an institutional environment in which academics can develop their research topics, research questions, and methodologies in accordance with their expertise, scientific rationale, and ethical standards.
Academic freedom constitutes a fundamental element of the University’s research culture by enabling scientific questions to be investigated freely and different scientific perspectives to be evaluated through academic methods.
Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/yonetim/ECr1J37QZR
KTU Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Framework
Karadeniz Technical University implements the KTU Directive on Scientific Research and Publication Ethics to ensure that scientific research and publication processes are conducted in accordance with the principles of research ethics.
In addition, a range of ethics committees operate within the University according to the needs of different disciplines, including:
This structure ensures that academic freedom is exercised in a balanced manner alongside scientific integrity, research ethics, participants’ rights, protection of personal data, and relevant legal requirements.
Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/yonetim/ECr1J37QZR
Additional Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/sbbek
Protection of Freedom of Education and Teaching
At the University, academic freedom is not limited to scientific research. The production of scientific knowledge by academic staff, as well as the teaching, dissemination, and discussion of that knowledge, are regarded as fundamental components of academic activity.
The ethical regulations published within KTU explicitly state that “the freedoms of accessing information, providing information, learning, and teaching should be protected.”
This principle reflects an institutional ethical approach that supports academics, within their areas of expertise, in:
Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/dosyalar/eczacilik_08047.pdf
Sharing Scientific Views and Research Results
An important dimension of academic freedom is the ability of academics to share the scientific findings arising from their research with both the academic community and wider society.
The University’s academic and ethical approach supports academics in producing scientific knowledge within their areas of expertise, publishing their work, participating in academic meetings, discussing scientific findings, and engaging in knowledge-sharing activities.
This freedom is exercised within the framework of scientific ethics, academic integrity, protection of personal data, the rights of research participants, intellectual property rights, and applicable legislation.
In this way, the University promotes a scientific environment in which academic freedom and academic responsibility are exercised together.
Institutional Ethical Framework
On the official institutional webpages of Karadeniz Technical University, the Ethical Conduct Principles for Higher Education Institutions are published as one of the key ethical references applicable to academic and administrative staff.
In addition, ethical values and integrity are addressed as a distinct institutional control area within the internal control systems of various University units, and the Ethical Conduct Principles for Higher Education Institutions are identified among the core documents supporting these systems.
Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/yonetim/ECr1J37QZR
Additional Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/personel/ickontrol
Conclusion
Karadeniz Technical University recognises and supports academic freedom as a fundamental principle of academic and scientific life. The University’s institutional and ethical regulations support academics in freely developing their scientific research, producing scientific knowledge, sharing research findings, and engaging in teaching and scientific communication activities within their areas of expertise.
