University Research Ethics Committee

The remit of the University Research Ethics Committee (UREC) is to oversee all research ethics matters concerning research conducted by Brunel University staff and students which involves human participants, their tissues, and their data.

Research ethics is devolved to the eight Schools, each of which has their own research ethics committee.  The School Research Ethics Committees are accountable to the UREC.

The central Committee acts as the 'School' Research Ethics Committee for staff and students in Specialist Research Institutes.

The Committee also provides training in research ethics to the Schools, including the Graduate School.

Matters relating to human tissue and compliance with the Human Tissue Act are the remit of the Human Tissue Act Compliance Sub-Committee.

The University has a Federal-wide Assurance and the Committee sits as an Institutional Review Board to approve research using human participants which is to be funded by a United States Department of State or Federal agency.

The University subscribes to and conforms with the principles of the Research Councils UK Concordat to Support the Development of Researchers, and the Universities UK concordat to support research integrity.

The UREC is chaired by Mr. David Anderson-Ford; the secretary is Mrs. Mary F. Liddell.  They can be contacted by e-mailing res-ethics@brunel.ac.uk.

Revised March 2012

BRUNEL UNIVERSITY RESEARCH ETHICS COMMITTEE

Membership

Terms of Reference

1. To consider general ethical issues relating to research and enterprise activities within the University in order to uphold the good standing of the University and its staff and to articulate University-wide standards and a framework (including codes of practice where appropriate) to ensure that all research conducted within the University, particularly that involving human subjects or material derived therefrom, meets the University’s ethical standards.
   
   
2. To be accountable to the Council and Senate of the University and have independent, delegated authority from Council and Senate to approve, with or without modification, or to reject proposals for research involving human subjects or material derived therefrom, or proposals which are referred to it on ethical grounds.
   
   
3. To take all reasonable steps to embed a culture and awareness of ethics in research within the University, with particular reference to training in research ethics.
   
   
4. To require reports from relevant committees or sub-groups within Schools and institutes.
   
   
5. To act as the University forum and knowledgeable panel for all ethical issues in relation to research and enterprise and ensure awareness of research ethics issues throughout the University as determined by current and relevant national and international codes of best practice.
   
   
6. To be the appropriate body to consider the ethical implications of particular research partnerships and of particular sources of research funding.
   
   
7. To provide an annual report to Council and Senate.

No results were found