Part of the mission of the International Real Estate Society (IRES) is to encourage communication, co-operation, and co-ordination regarding real estate research and education on a world-wide basis as well as to encourage research on international real estate topics. Thus, among its core activities is to encourage advancement of knowledge through research and the sharing of that knowledge with peers, students and the public.
Freedom in research is fundamental to the advancement of truth. As such, IRES recognizes the importance of the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic freedom, intellectual freedom, and freedom of expression gives one the right and obligation as a scholar to question assumptions, challenge conventional wisdom, rigorously examine data, and share the conclusions. The freedom to explore significant and controversial questions is essential to fulfill the mission of educating students and advancing knowledge.
Academic freedom also comes with responsibilities. Communal inquiry and debate are at the heart of the academy. Researchers should be accurate and should show respect for the opinions of others. Academic responsibility requires researchers to submit their results to rigorous and public review by peers who are experts in the same field and to ground their arguments in the best available evidence.
The advancement of knowledge through research requires that scholars be able to pursue their work uninhibited by fear of offending outside forces. Scholars require the freedom to pursue their ideas wherever they lead, unconstrained by the beliefs of politicians, administrators or members of the public.
