The University of Bifröst asserts that referring a case to its ethics committee does not constitute an attack, as such matters are private and not made public by the university.
On February 9, 2026, Hólmfríður Gísladóttir reported on the University of Bifröst’s response to recent media coverage regarding a case involving three of its employees. The university clarified that referrals to the ethics committee should not be disclosed publicly, and emphasized that it has no authority to publicly manage such matters. Consequently, the university's management communicated with both staff and students to address the media's portrayal of the situation.
The university's ethics committee concluded that the three staff members involved did not violate any ethical codes. However, it also noted that there were no indications in the case documents hinting that doubts about the authorship contributions were characterized by impulsiveness or other biases. This assessment was sent out to the media along with the university's statement, highlighting the committee's findings and the importance of maintaining privacy in such proceedings.
This situation raises questions about the transparency and accountability of academic institutions regarding ethical concerns. The university's insistence on confidentiality contrasts with public interest, particularly in cases that may affect the integrity of the institution. As discussions continue around the role of ethics committees, the balance between privacy and public scrutiny remains a key issue for educational bodies in Iceland and beyond.
