The deontology specialist

The deontologist referent of the University of Rennes is Pierre Joray, professor of logic and philosophy of science. Former director of the Philosophy Department where he teaches logic and philosophy of mathematics, Pierre Joray is a researcher and member of the Centre atlantique de philosophie.

The ethics officer implements the right of all university employees to consult an ethics officer. He/She is responsible for providing them with any advice useful for the respect of the ethical obligations and principles mentioned in articles 25 to 28 of the law 83-634 of 13 July 1983:

• Neutrality, impartiality, probity, dignity, integrity, secularism
• Combating conflicts of interest
• Declaration of interests and financial situation of officials occupying posts whose hierarchical level or nature of duties justify it
• Prohibition of multiple activities and its exceptions
• Powers of the deontology commission
• Professional discretion and secrecy, hierarchical obedience.

• The ethics officer ensures that the institution promotes and encourages by all means the respect of the principles of ethics set out in the above-mentioned charter and in particular by the training of all personnel under the responsibility of the institution.

• It is the first point of contact to receive requests for information concerning ethics.

• It sheds light on the application of ethical principles and good practices as well as on the legal risks incurred in the event of a breach.

• The university may refer the matter to it in the first instance if it is not necessary to refer the matter to the High Authority for the Transparency of Public Life (HATVP) and in the event of serious doubt concerning :

  • compatibility between the duties performed and the activity envisaged for requests for authorisation to work part-time to set up or take over a business or to leave for the private sector;
  • the recruitment or reinstatement of staff who have worked in the private sector for the previous three years.

• The ethics officer collects and investigates all allegations relating to alleged breaches of ethics, guaranteeing absolute confidentiality and the anonymity of the whistleblower.

• If a breach is found, he/she refers the matter to the president of the university.

• He/She provides his expertise to deal with the breaches reported to him as part of the investigation procedure that he implements.

• He/She may request the support of the mediator for all conflict situations.

• He/She sends the final report on the collection of objective evidence to the President.

The ethics officer may attend meetings of the High Authority for the Transparency of Public Life (HATVP) without voting rights when it issues an opinion concerning a university employee.
He/she reports on his/her activity and draws up a confidential report each year for the president on all his/her activities and the situations encountered.
He is authorised to refer to the president of the university any situation where the seriousness of the facts or the urgency of the situation requires a rapid decision and reaction; the same applies in the event of the application of paragraph 2 of article 40 of the code of criminal procedure.

The ethics officer participates in the national network of ethics officers, which enables exchanges with other higher education and research establishments in France.