University Research Ethics Committee (UREC)

The University Research Ethics Committee (UREC) and its Sub-Committees have a multi-disciplinary membership that includes academic researchers, from across the Faculties, professional staff members, as well as lay members from outside the University. It is responsible for monitoring the two Research Ethics Sub-Committees. It has specific responsibility for providing University guidance, policies and procedures for research ethics approval. UREC does not review individual applications. UREC strategically reviews and updates University research ethics guidance, policies and procedures in the light of external best practice and of funders, professional, and statutory body requirements. It meets twice each semester.

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 Exchange Committee and the Board of Governors.

Cross-Faculty Research Ethics Sub-Committee (CRES)

CRES reports directly to the University Research Ethics Committee. It has specific responsibility for reviewing and approving all research studies by staff and postgraduate research students involving human participants, or the collection of human data or material, across all Faculties and Directorates - excluding applications in the fields of health and social care -  prior to the commencement of that research.

Health & Social Care Research Ethics Sub-Committee (HSCRES)

HSCRES reviews and approves all research studies by staff and postgraduate research students involving human participants, or the collection of human data or material, in relevant health and social care fields across all Faculties, prior to the commencement of that research.

For further information on the application process, please see the Ethics Application Process tab.

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.

For meeting dates and deadlines for submission to a sub-committee please see the Meeting Dates tab below.

Individual applications for ethics review should be submitted to the appropriate Sub-Committee. Please see the Meeting Dates tab below for meeting dates and submission deadlines.

The University Research Ethics Committee meets twice each semester. Items to be considered should be submitted to the Committee Secretary on ethics@brookes.ac.uk.