University Research Committee
Reviews proposals for scientific merit, feasibility and resources, and oversees the internal research grant.
Members & detailsResearch Approvals & Governance
Research & Ethics
Research Approvals & Governance
Before a study starts, it needs the approval of the right committee. Find yours, see how long a review takes, and get the forms.
Start here
Which committee reviews my study?
Pick the description that fits your study.
Human Ethics Committee
Three levels of review
Your study involves people
Does it use only anonymous secondary or published data?
Yes
No
Is it minimal-risk and non-invasive, with competent adult participants?
Yes
No
Select a level to follow its path and see when it applies.
Exempt — Anonymous secondary or published data only. Reviewed by chair action; target turnaround 5 working days. Expedited — Minimal-risk, non-invasive, competent adults. Reviewed by subcommittee; target turnaround 15 working days. Full board — Interventional, vulnerable groups, identifiable data or tissue. Reviewed by full committee; target turnaround 30 working days from the submission deadline.Committees
The three committees
Each committee's page lists its members, how it works and the forms it uses.
Human Ethics Committee (HEC)
Reviews every study with human participants, human tissue or identifiable data — student projects included.
Members & details
Animal Research Ethics Committee (AEC)
Reviews every study involving animals, including group sizes, welfare and humane endpoints, at CARF.
Members & detailsForms & downloads
What to submit
Every policy, template and form is on one page.
All forms in one placePolicies, templates and applications for every committee.
Go to Forms & DownloadsPolicies & procedures
How research is governed
The Office of Research & Postgraduate Studies is preparing five policies for publication. Until then, the Research Manual sets out the University's research procedures.
Research integrity and misconduct
Definitions, reporting route, investigation procedure, protection for reporters
In preparation
Authorship policy
Authorship criteria, dispute resolution, predatory publishing guidance
In preparation
Affiliation statement convention
The standard wording faculty must use, which directly affects the accuracy of the University's indexed output
In preparation
Research data management
Retention, storage, sharing and participant privacy
In preparation
Biobanking and material transfer
The MTA route for external collaborations
In preparation
FAQ
Questions about research approvals
Yes. A student project involving human participants, human tissue or identifiable human data is reviewed by the Human Ethics Committee like any other study, and the Office publishes a students' guide to research proposal writing to help with the submission.
The Animal Research Ethics Committee reviews every study involving animals. The work is carried out at the Central Animal Research Facility, which is licensed by MOCCAE and the RAK EPDA, and the request for animals goes on the CARF research animal request form.
The title page, the research proposal on the Office's template, the informed consent form and the HEC review template, following the published submission process. All four documents are on this page.
The targets are five working days for an exempt review by chair action, fifteen working days for an expedited review and thirty working days from the submission deadline for a full board review. Confirm the current target with the committee secretary when you submit.
The Research Manual is published on the Downloads page; it is held in the University's SharePoint and opens with a University email address.