Research Ethics
The School takes research ethics seriously. Our procedures are governed in the first instance by the Research Ethics Committee (REC), which operates in conformity with University requirements (in particular, ‘Guidance for Schools on the Ethical Review of Research’) and the ‘Framework for Research Ethics’ of the ESRC.
Membership of the REC itself follows recommended best practice: a minimum of seven people, including a Chair, the Research Ethics Officer (REO), appointed by the Head of School; a lay person who is not a member of the School or a member of teaching or research staff; a representative from another School in the University; at least four research-active members of the School, reflecting experience and expertise in the areas of research regularly reviewed by the REC; and a representative from the School’s postgraduate research (PGR) student community.
Members normally serve a three-year term. Following their initial term, they may serve a further three-year term.
New members, especially those with no previous experience of ethical review processes and issues, receive appropriate training.
In 2011-12, the members are as follows:
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Professor Alex Danchev (REO) (Chair)
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Professor Emerita Marion Shaw (lay member)
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Dr Sangeeta Shah (representative from Law)
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Professor Cees van de Eijk (Director of Research)
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Dr Jan Meyer-Sahling (Director of PGR)
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Dr Matthew Goodwin
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Dr Miwa Hirono
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Dr Vanessa Pupavac
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Dr David Stevens
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Dr Howard Loewen (UNMC)
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PGR representative (tbc)
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Administrative support is provided by Gail Evans.
The REC normally meets face-to-face once a semester (twice a year). Additional meetings may be called by the Chair if need be. Much of the REC’s business is therefore conducted by electronic communication.
The remit of the REC is as follows:
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To develop, promote, and oversee the implementation of research ethics procedures by students and staff in the School.
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To monitor the standard of ethical considerations in research proposals.
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To give advice and make recommendations on ethical issues, as appropriate, to individuals and to the School as a whole.
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To keep relevant ethical issues in research under review, and ensure that there are effective mechanisms to keep the School apprised of relevant policy, guidelines and procedures developed by the University or by research councils and other bodies.
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To manage and monitor the School’s research ethics procedures in practice.
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To ensure that appropriate records are maintained and preserved, and regularly to review records and procedures.
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To report periodically to the School, and to the University, as required.