Animal Research
Animal Research
Research involving animals will require an ethical review from either the Animal Welfare Ethical Review Body (AWERB) or the Animal Welfare Sub Committee.
The nature of the review required is dependent upon whether the research is governed by the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (APSA). All research governed by ASPA will require the necessary license(s) to be in place and ethical review provided by AWERB.
Any research involving vertebrates or cephalopods that includes procedures that are not governed by ASPA, please complete an application on the Online Research Ethics Management System (OREM) and submit to your Faculty REC.
Staff and students who intend to conduct research with animals should review and comply with the Regulations Governing Research Involving Animals.
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ANIMAL WELFARE SUB COMMITTEE
Research not regulated by ASPA, for example behavioural, welfare, environmental, or other biological sciences study are reviewed by the Animal Welfare Sub Committee, a subgroup of the MHLS and EPS Faculty RECs. An application to the Animal Welfare Sub Committee can be made using the Online Research Ethics Management System (OREM) The relevant documents as listed below should be uploaded with the application:
- Research Protocol
- Any relevant permissions eg management permission for access, permits
- Any supporting documents eg observational sheets, owner information sheets and consent forms, if applicable, and any additional research tools to be used such as questionnaires for owners, interview schedules etc.
- Any other relevant information
Where there is potential for doubt regarding pain, stress or lasting harm that could be experienced by an animal, the Chief Investigator/Principal Investigator must consult with the Named Information Officer (BSUNamedInformationOfficer@qub.ac.uk) in the first instance before discussing with Named Veterinary Officer/DoH Inspector. A copy of the Faculty REC’s approval, along with the protocol, should be sent to the Chair of the AWERB to facilitate future queries.
Where an application involves both human participants and elements of animal welfare an application should be submitted to the relevant Faculty REC using OREM. The Faculty REC will then consult with members of the Animal Welfare Sub Committee on the elements relating to animal research.
- ANIMAL WELFARE ETHICAL REVIEW BODY (AWERB)
Types of research considered by AWERB
- ASPA Governed
Studies governed by ASPA must be considered by AWERB. The appropriate DoH/Home Office Project Licence application form must be completed. Researchers applying for a Project Licence are required to attend the relevant AWERB meeting in person to discuss their application. Anyone holding a project licence must also hold a personal licence.
- Schedule 1
The use of Schedule 1 (ie tissues harvested from animals sacrificed solely for that purpose via an approved humane method) requires review by AWERB. Schedule 1 applications should be made by the Principal Investigator (PI) using the Application for Schedule 1 Activities: RESEARCH or Application for Schedule 1 Activities: EDUCATION as appropriate. If Schedule 1 activity is required for longer than 1 year, an applicant must make an annual application.
Application for Schedule 1 Activities: RESEARCH (word)
Application for Schedule 1 Activities: EDUCATION (word)
Further information on AWERB and regulated animal research can be found here