The GEO Ethics Committee (GEO EC) at the University of Twente (UT) is facilitated by the Faculty of Earth Observation and Geo-Information Sciences (ITC). This committee is one of four domain-specific ethics committees at the University of Twente, as outlined in the UT Research Ethics Policy (2019). It oversees activities aimed at promoting awareness of geo ethics at ITC and conducts ethics reviews in this specific domain. The goal of the GEO EC is to ensure that our (geo)research is compliant with relevant ethical principles, norms, and standards by conducting quality geo-ethical review procedures.
Geo ethics involves research and reflection on the values that underpin appropriate behaviour and practice wherever human activities interact with the geosphere. It addresses the ethical, social, and cultural implications of Earth (Observation) and Geo-Information Sciences education, research, and practice, providing a point of intersection for (Geo)spatial sciences, Urban and Rural Studies, Sociology, Economy, and Environmental sciences. It represents an opportunity for geospatial scientists to become more conscious of their social role and responsibilities in conducting their activities and the potential impacts of their research findings and outputs on the environment and society.
Scope
The GEO Ethics Committee primarily focuses on conducting ethical reviews for research in Earth (observation) and Geo-Information Sciences, mainly covering:
- Research that focuses on typical issues such as security and legal order, (geo)health, land rights, water rights, infrastructure provision, human rights, natural hazards and disaster management, and resource management, among others.
- Research that deals with problems that relate to human life and livelihood as well as the environment.
- Research that pays attention to adverse aspects of applications in geo-information technology and geo-AI by considering the ethical, cultural, and economic repercussions that applications may have on society.
To do so, the GEO EC employs the following activities:
- It reviews research proposals in the Geo-Information Sciences, according to and falling within the scope of the Research Ethics Policy of the University of Twente. It includes the self-assessment and provision of information to researchers regarding the review procedure.
- It keeps records of the reviews and archives the reviews according to legal provisions and applicable policies of the University of Twente.
- It periodically reports to the ITC Faculty Board and to the University of Twente on the ethical review procedures carried out within the GEO domain.
(For further information, see Faculty Regulations of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation Article 10f)
Committee Composition
Current members
- Dr Fran Meissner (Chair)
- Dr Caroline Gevaert (Vice-chair)
- Masoome Shariat (GeoEC professional secretary)
- Dr Francesco Nex (GeoEC member)
- Dr ir Rolf de By (GeoEC member)
- Dr Azadeh Akbari Kharazi (external member, BMS)
- Dr Elinor Meredith (GeoEC member)
- Lorraine Trento Oliveira (GeoEC member, PhD candidate)
- Irene de Graaf (administrative secretary)
Former members
- Brian Masinde (GeoEC member, PhD candidate)
- Prof. Dr Karin Pfeffer (chair)
- Dr Michael Nagenborg (external member, BMS)
- Dr Ana Maria Bustamante Duarte (GeoEC professional secretary)
- Dr Marga Koelen (GeoEC professional secretary)
House Rules of the GEO Ethics Committee
The 'House Rules of the GEO Ethics Committee' provide detailed information on the committee's structure and operations. This includes details on the committee’s responsibilities, the review process, and general operation of the committee
You can find further information related to the Ethics review procedure and additional resources below: