Research Ethics and Intellectual Property in the MSc Program
"Reuse of Buildings and Complexes" (RBC) at the University of Thessaly

Research is a fundamental mission of the university, inherently linked to the advancement of scientific knowledge, and constitutes a collective social good. A core principle for scientific research conducted in the MSc Program "Reuse of Buildings and Complexes" (RBC) of the Department of Architecture at the University of Thessaly, as in any academic institution, is academic freedom, commitment to scientific truth, and respect for the intellectual property rights of its contributors.

Every research activity carried out within the academic framework of the MSc RBC, including research by faculty members, researchers, postgraduate students, and master's theses, adheres to the Code of Ethics of the University of Thessaly, which serves as the foundational document outlining the ethical principles and research integrity.

Its enforcement is ensured by the Central Ethics Committee of the University of Thessaly, the academic body that guarantees the independence of research activities as well as the reliability and quality of research projects from an ethical and deontological perspective.

Fundamental Ethical Principles for Research in the MSc RBC:

Any research conducted within the MSc RBC must:

  • Be based on respect for the dignity of every human being.
  • Avoid discrimination based on social, racial, cultural, or gender factors, as well as discrimination related to physical characteristics or sexual orientation.
  • Respect privacy and personal data.
  • Respect all living beings as well as the broader natural and cultural environment.
  • Follow the principles of scientific ethics and proper documentation.

Intellectual Property and Publications

1. Copyright and Reproduction of Third-Party Works

  • The reproduction of entire works or parts of works (books, articles, papers, etc.) created by third parties, as well as their translation, adaptation, alteration, or imitation without the creator’s permission, is prohibited by law. This applies regardless of the medium (print, electronic, photographic, etc.). Such acts constitute both civil and criminal offenses and represent a serious disciplinary violation.
  • Every creator or co-creator of a work has the right to be recognized as such and to enjoy any financial benefits associated with their work.
  • Failing to acknowledge third-party contributions in a published work or, conversely, listing someone as a creator or co-creator of a work in which they had no creative input constitutes a serious ethical and disciplinary offense with possible legal consequences.
  • When a publication is the result of contributions from multiple creators, all contributors must be acknowledged according to the significance of their input.
  • If the publication results from contracted, paid work for a public or private entity, special care must be taken to ensure compliance with contractual obligations, which may restrict the creators' economic and moral rights.
  • The commercial exploitation of intellectual or industrial property rights by the creator or inventor may be subject to restrictions, especially when the work was produced using resources or funding from the University of Thessaly or another institution.

2. Plagiarism

  • Plagiarism is the incorporation of ideas, excerpts, or even individual phrases from another person's work without citing the source.
  • Even if plagiarism does not always constitute a legal violation of intellectual property law, it is still considered a serious disciplinary offense, especially when committed by members of the academic community in works presented as their own original creations.
  • Members of the University of Thessaly must avoid publishing the same work in different formats or in different publications with minor modifications, as this artificially inflates the number of independent and original works attributed to the author.
  • Plagiarism applies to works published both in print and electronically, including university lecture notes.

3. Intellectual Property of Master’s Theses

  • The intellectual property rights of a master’s thesis belong to the postgraduate student.
  • The master’s thesis must be the original work of the candidate; otherwise, the degree cannot be awarded, as the law requires that these works include the original contribution of the student.
  • If a thesis or research project is later published, and the supervising professor or other individuals have made a substantial creative contribution, their names must be included according to their actual contribution.
  • In any printed or electronic version of the thesis, as well as in any related publications, the University of Thessaly and the respective Department must always be mentioned.

4. Relevant Legislation

  • Intellectual property regulations are outlined in Law 2121/1993.
  • Special provisions related to research and paid work are included in Law 1733/1988, which covers inventions and patents.