INTRODUCTION TO FACULTY RESEARCH ETHICS COMMITTEES
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) requires that all human participant research has an ethical review, proportionate to the risks involved in the research. Other funding bodies, e.g. Horizon 2020, and many professional bodies also have specific requirements for the ethical consideration of research which extends to environmental issues or research that may have a dual use.
The University has had an established structure through the use of School Research Ethics Committees to undertake this function. However, it was agreed to rollout a new structure to streamline, expedite the review process and bring consistency across the Institution. This involves the use of Faculty Research Ethics Committees (Faculty RECs).
The Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences was the first Faculty to adopt the model of a Faculty REC with the Faculty of Medicine, Health & Life Sciences following in 2019. The Faculty REC model facilitates the application and implementation of relevant University Regulations and Policies governing research ethics and centralises the ethical review of all research projects being undertaken within the Faculty.
All Schools within the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences and the Faculty of Medicine, Health & Life Sciences are participating in the process. Each School has two or three representatives on their respective Faculty RECs, bringing individual expertise and discipline knowledge to deliberations.
HOW DO I APPLY?
The Faculty REC will routinely consider applications once funding has been secured. However, for researchers applying to RCUK, Horizon 2020 or other large grants the Committee is willing to review funding applications to add value in terms of research ethics.
The Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS) and the Faculty of Medicine, Health & Life Sciences (MHLS) Research Ethics Committees (REC) meet monthly to consider applications.
The review of applications with minimal ethical issues will be undertaken in an expedited manner (Proportionate Review) and those research studies with more material ethical issues will be considered by the full Faculty REC. For projects being considered at the full Faculty REC meeting, the researcher may be asked to attend.
The screening tool (EPS / MHLS) should be used to determine if your research may be considered for Proportionate Review.
Once you have identified the appropriate route for ethical review, follow the Faculty REC Application Process flowchart for instructions on how to proceed.
You should note that the Chief Investigator for an application must be a member of University staff, it may not be a student. For student applications, the Chief Investigator should be the main Supervisor.
All documents submitted in support of an application should be marked with a version number and date.
- Application Forms:
| Engineering and Physical Sciences | Medicine, Health & Life Sciences |
|---|---|
| EPS Proportionate Review Ethics Application (Word) | MHLS Proportionate Review Ethics Application (Word) |
| EPS Full Review Ethics Application (Word) | MHLS Full Review Ethics Application (Word) * |
| EPS Confirmation of Existing Ethical Approval Form (Word) | MHLS Confirmation of Existing Ethical Approval Form (Word) |
| EPS Animal Welfare Ethics Application (Word) | MHLS Animal Welfare Ethics Application (Word) |
*An MHLS Full Review Ethics Application submission requires two Gov4 Peer Review Forms as supporting documents.
Notification of an Amendment Form (Word)
Annual Progress Report Form (Word)
Notification of End of Study Form (Word)
- Useful Information:
Proportionate Review Screening Tool (EPS) Proportionate Review Screening Tool (MHLS)
Faculty REC Application Flowchart
Faculty EPS REC Meeting Dates 2023-24
Faculty MHLS REC Meeting Dates 2023-24
Participant Information Sheet Template
Participant Information Sheet & Consent Form Guidance
Common Pitfalls when Applying and How to Avoid Them
Proportionate Review Application - Question Specific Guidance
Full Ethical Approval Form - Question Specific Guidance
Peer Review Basic application for peer review form (Gov 1) (doc) Full Application for Peer Review Form (Gov 4) (doc)
- Contact
Please contact the University Research Ethics Officer, for EPS Faculty REC, Stefan Curran, by email: facultyreceps@qub.ac.uk for MHLS Faculty REC, Lorraine Carew facultyrecmhls@qub.ac.uk if you have any queries or require assistance with any aspect of the process.