Tampere University criticised for ending doctoral researcher’s resource agreement

Tampere University is facing criticism after ending doctoral researcher Tia Viskari’s resource agreement over her social media conduct, Yle reported. The researchers’ union and the university’s chief shop steward have called the decision unusual and severe.

The university said Viskari had criticised it and its representatives on social media in an inappropriate manner and contrary to good practice. It has not specified what she allegedly said or wrote. Viskari denies the accusations and says she did not behave improperly towards the university or its staff online.

“It sounds like a severe measure. Ending or terminating a resource agreement is unusual, and I know of very few such cases,” said Nina Hahtela, executive director of the researchers’ union.

Mari Hatavara, a professor and the university’s chief shop steward, also questioned the decision. She said it was unusual for the university to act this way and asked how ending the agreement was supposed to affect Viskari’s social media conduct. Both Hahtela and Hatavara said they were commenting on the basis of media reports.

A resource agreement is not an employment contract. It sets out rights and responsibilities between a grant-funded researcher and the university, and may provide access to university databases and a computer. Unlike an employment contract, it does not include a comparable duty of loyalty. The university can end such an agreement without giving a reason, and its termination may significantly affect a researcher’s ability to complete a doctoral thesis.

Hahtela said the decision had prompted extensive discussion among union members. She is concerned it could increase fear among doctoral researchers and restrict academic freedom and researchers’ freedom of expression. Researchers are encouraged to raise problems for discussion, she said, and it should not become unacceptable to speak about certain issues.

Viskari is doing her doctoral research in a health sciences unit within the Faculty of Social Sciences. The faculty declined to comment, saying it could not publicly discuss individual researchers’ affairs.

Rector Keijo Hämäläinen backed the faculty’s decision in an email to Yle. He said the university has a duty under occupational safety legislation to protect employees from inappropriate treatment and safeguard their health and safety at work. He also said the university has shared guidelines for the community on social media use.