The Ethics Committee (EC) plays a vital role in ensuring that the Centre’s work adheres to the highest standards of research integrity and ethical conduct. For the final phase, the EC will be composed of a Research Ethics Committee (two experienced Mecila Principal Investigators) and an Independent Advisor, all selected for a term of three years.

The primary responsibility of the Research Ethics Committee is to safeguard research integrity and uphold the principles of equal opportunity within the Centre. By monitoring the application of both international and national standards of fair science, the committee works proactively to prevent violations such as intellectual property theft, plagiarism, epistemic violence, discrimination, gender bias, moral and sexual harassment, and the abuse or misuse of power.

The Independent Advisor serves as a neutral, confidential first point of contact for scholars, fellows, and staff facing work-related conflicts, including disputes involving supervision, collaboration, or interpersonal tensions. The Independent Advisor also provides informal mediation and conflict-resolution support, when appropriate.