Research Ethics Committee and the Central Research Ethics Panels

Research Ethics Committee (REC)

REC is responsible on behalf of Senate to promote best ethical practice in relation to research and research-related activities and for establishing, promoting, implementing and monitoring university-wide  Research Ethics Code of Practice  (which informs local practices and procedures across the University). REC considers ethical issues related to research and research-related activities brought to its attention by the Research Ethics Panels, researchers and the wider university community. REC does not review individual research ethics checklists.

REC comprises both staff, PGR Representative and independent lay members and meets 3 times a year.

Research Ethics Panels (REPs)

The central REPs are responsible on behalf of the Research Ethics Committee (REC) to review research ethics submissions from postgraduate researchers (high risk) and staff, to identify and come to an Opinion on issues that may arise within projects or protocols.  Ethics review considers how the widely accepted ethical principles of Autonomy (free will to take part in the research), Beneficence (research should be worthwhile and provide value that outweighs any risk or harm), Non-maleficence (not be harmed by participating in research) and Justice (equal treatment) are applied within the proposed work.

Panels comprise both staff and independent lay members.  (Low risk applications submitted by staff are allocated for light touch reviews outside physical panel meetings and are conducted via email).  For further information on what constitutes high risk – click here.

The deadline for ethics checklists submitted online is noted against each meeting date - see list of dates under useful documents.  Please ensure your paperwork is submitted on time as submissions are sent to Panel members 5 working days ahead of each Panel meeting for review.  Late submissions will be deferred to the following month.  PGRs - please note that submissions are sent to your Supervisor in the first instance, so please allow sufficient time before the Panel's closing date for applications for your Supervisor to review and forward onto the appropriate panel.

PANEL MEETINGS ARE NOT HELD IN AUGUST 

Panel Dates for Social Sciences & Humanities Research Ethics Panel 2025:

Panel Dates for the Science, Technology & Health Research Ethics Panel 2025: