We investigate the causes of health and disease and develop effective strategies for the prevention of chronic, noncommunicable diseases. We work in interdisciplinary teams of scientific and science support staff covering a broad spectrum of disciplines and methods, including epidemiology, biostatistics, medicine, natural sciences, and social sciences and humanities. We are committed to the rules of good scientific practice¹ and always act with respect for the dignity and integrity of our fellow human beings.

We are expressly committed to the core values of the Leibniz Association. Scientific excellence is our top priority in our work. A critical yet constructive culture of discussion contributes to this. We respect different perspectives and actively promote diversity of people and ideas. We also believe that gender equality and the active promotion of career development opportunities are crucial prerequisites for outstanding research achievements. Transparent decision-making processes and ethical conduct form the foundation of our collaboration.

We attach particular importance to the freedom and independence of research. Free and independent research helps to effectively address social and political challenges and develop solutions that have a lasting impact. This freedom also obliges us to act responsibly and with integrity: we protect our research from external influences and always act in the interests of scientific knowledge and social relevance. We are also committed to the UN's sustainability goals.

These principles form the basis for our research, which understands causal and preventive research as fundamental components of public health and has clear links to political and social issues. We are aware of the methodological and ethical obligations that result from our comprehensive understanding of public health. We take this responsibility seriously among ourselves and towards our cooperation partners, students, and all people involved in our studies and projects. We cultivate an open approach characterized by respect, acceptance, and integration.

Data protection is a top priority for research at BIPS in the numerous studies we conduct with participants from the general population. Together with our company data protection officer, datenschutz nord GmbH, we have developed a general data protection concept for BIPS that lays the foundations for secure data storage and processing. The datenschutz nord GmbH also provides us with expert advice on all data protection issues and reviews the project-related data protection concepts, compliance with which is monitored by the Bremen State Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information. In addition, we consult the State Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information and the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (BfDI) on important issues. BIPS has developed guidelines for dealing with conflicts of interest in research, which are set out in a policy statement.

¹  For Example: “Guidelines for Safeguarding Good Research Practice - Code of Conduct” from the German Research Foundation (DFG), “Guidelines and Recommendations for Ensuring Good Epidemiological Practice (GEP)” from the German Society for Epidemiology (DGEpi), “Good Practice in Secondary Data Analysis” (GPS) (updated version available in German only), and “Guidelines for Good Pharmacoepidemiology Practices” (GPP) from the International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology (ISPE).