University research ethics committee
The University Research Ethics Committee (UREC) has a multi-disciplinary membership that includes academic researchers (staff and students) from across the Faculties and non-research lay members from within and outside the University. It has specific responsibility for reviewing research undertaken by staff and research students (registered for an MPhil, MPhil/PhD, PhD or EdD) that involves human participants, data or material, including both approving proposed research studies prior to the commencement of data collection and monitoring the progress of research that it has approved, to ensure compliance with approved ethics procedures.
UREC is also responsible for ensuring that Faculties have approved procedures in place for the ethics review of projects undertaken within their Faculty. Research Ethics Officers provide an annual report to UREC on ethics review in their Faculty and UREC in turn provides an annual report to the University Research and Knowledge Transfer Committee.
Research ethics review for Undergraduate and taught postgraduate students is undertaken at Faculty level. Please contact your Department/Faculty Research Ethics Officer to confirm the process. Faculty forms are available to download.
Meeting dates
The University Research Ethics Committee meets four times a semester in weeks 1, 5, 9 and 12 in semester one and weeks 1, 5, 9 and 13 in semester two plus two extra dates during the summer vacation.
Once approved by your Department/Faculty Research Ethics Officer (deadline a week before sending to the UREC Administrator), a complete copy of the application (completed E2U form plus supporting documents) should be sent to Louise Wood, UREC Administrator, Research and Business Development Office, Room BG03, Buckley Building, Gipsy Lane - two weeks before the Committee meets. Alternatively, 15 copies of the application (completed form plus supporting documents) should be sent to Louise Wood 11 days before the Committee meets.
Dates for 2011/2012
Semester Two
| Date of Meeting | Deadline for applications | Deadline for applications to |
| Tuesday 31 January 2012 | Tuesday 10 January | Tuesday 17 January |
| Wednesday 29 February | Wednesday 8 February | Wednesday 15 February |
| Tuesday 27 March | Tuesday 6 March | Tuesday 13 March |
| Wednesday 9 May | Wednesday 18 April | Wednesday 25 April |
| Wednesday 13 June | Wednesday 23 May | Wednesday 30 May |
| Wednesday 11 July | Wednesday 20 June | Wednesday 27 June |
Please note: Due to leave and other commitments UREC is not able to review applications during August. Applications should be received in good time for the July meeting or they would be held back until September. Exceptions will be made for consultancy projects where there is a very short funding timescale.