The project manager is responsible for ensuring that the institution, through their immediate supervisor, endorses their project. This endorsement must be documented in writing, for example via email.
Before the project starts, at the departmental and faculty levels, typically the head of department or the vice dean for research* must ensure that:
- The project manager has the necessary academic competence and resources to carry out the project
- Responsibilities of any external parties are clarified in writing
*For student projects, the student’s supervisor is responsible for endorsing projects. For PhD projects, a project’s endorsement is managed by the program committees or the faculty’s vice dean for research.
Academic Freedom:
Although research projects must be endorsed by management, this should not compromise the academic freedom of USN employees. As stated in “NOU 2022: 2 Academic Freedom of Expression — A Good Culture of Expression Must Be Built from the Ground Up, Every Day” and in the Universities Act, universities must protect the academic freedom of their employees:
Anyone employed in a position where research or academic or artistic development work is part of the job responsibilities has the right to choose the subject and method for their research or development work within the framework of the employment relationship or a specific agreement.
(Universities’ Act, Paragraphs 1-5. Academic Freedom and Responsibility (5))
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