University of Oslo Appoints First Science Ombuds

Norway's largest university, Universitetet i Oslo, has named Knut Willem Ruyter its first Vitenskapsombud. For the next three years, Ruyter will provide guidance and advice to scientific employees (PhD candidates, postdocs, librarians, and temporary faculty) who face difficult ethical situations in research. UiO established the Science Ombuds position in 2015, but it has remained vacant until Ruyter's appointment. His work will supplement that of the Studentombudet, Marianne Høva Rustberggard, who was appointed in 2013.


Ruyter has been affiliated with UiO since 1990 when he was a PhD student in the School Theology. He is now a member of the Faculty of Medicine and of Theological  His career has focused on research ethics. He worked on research ethics for the Norwegian Research Council and is currently head of the Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics, South-East Norway. (UiO Aktuelt; UiO Uni Forum.)

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