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Research Ethics

University of Suffolk is committed to ensuring research undertaken by its staff and students is of the highest professional standard and meets current ethical guidelines.

Researchers should consider the ethical implications of their research activities and what level of independent ethical review is required before they proceed. This should take into account;

  • The nature of the research
  • Funders' policies
  • Policy requirements of the organisation(s) involved in the research
  • The laws of the country(ies) involved in the research

For further information about our research environment, and enquiries about research opportunities please contact: Andreea Tocca, Head of Research Development at a.tocca@uos.ac.uk

​During 2023-24 academic year, the University of Suffolk Research Ethics Committee meetings will take place on the following dates. (The Staff and PGR Ethics Committees meet on the same dates unless specified otherwise.)

  • Monday 18th September 2023 (Staff) + Tuesday 19th September 2023 (PGR)
  • Monday 30th October 2023
  • Monday 20th November 2023
  • Monday 18th December 2023
  • Monday 22nd January 2024
  • Monday 19th February 2024
  • Monday 18th March 2024 (Staff) + Thursday 21st March 2024 (PGR)
  • Monday 15th April 2024
  • Monday 20th May 2024
  • Monday 17th June 2024
  • Monday 15th July 2024

University of Suffolk Research Ethics Committee (RETH) - Staff

Purpose

The University of Suffolk Research Ethics Committee is responsible for advising Research and Enterprise Committee on the development, implementation and review of institutional procedures and guidelines relating to ethical issues arising from teaching, research, and other related institutional activities. The role of the interdisciplinary Committee is to be proactive in relation to emerging issues of institutional, national, or international significance. The Committee will oversee research integrity across the University, including monitoring compliance with the Concordat to Support Research Integrity.

Terms of Reference

  1. To ensure that staff research involving human and non-human participants is conducted according to appropriate ethical, legal, and professional frameworks, obligations, and standards.
  2. To consider Postgraduate (PGR) applications from the PGR Ethics Committee which have been referred for additional advice as they are deemed to be non-routine, intrusive or likely to be ethically problematic or where institutional approval is specifically required.
  3. To note and act on recent legislation/developments which may have ethical implications for research undertaken at the University.
  4. To ensure that the PGR Ethics Committee and School Research Ethics Panels processes are in line with the University Research Ethics Committee policies.
  5. To ensure that PGR Ethics Committee and School Research Ethics Panels are monitoring safeguarding training and Disclosure and Barring Service checks of dissertation supervisors and students where appropriate.
  6. To report to and make recommendations to the Research and Enterprise Committee and the Research Management Group as required.
  7. To audit the operation of the PGR Ethics Committee and Schools Research Ethics Panels, receiving minutes appropriate.
  8. To use transparent, robust, and fair processes to deal with allegations of research misconduct should they arise.

Membership

Membership

Units of Assessment leads

Head of Research Development

Head of Research Management

Head of Data Governance

Chair

Pro Vice-Chancellor Research

Appointed members

One lay member

Attendees

The Committee may invite other persons to attend for the whole or part of a meeting, or for a particular item of business.

Secretary

Research Institute Administrator

Procedural Rules

Alternates

If the Pro Vice-Chancellor is unable to attend any meeting for any reason, she may nominate an alternate to attend in her place

Substitutions

Substitutions for members unable to attend a meeting must be agreed beforehand with the Chair.

Observers

Observers may attend meetings of Research Ethics Committee at the discretion and by invitation of the Chair.

Quorum

50% members

Rules for voting

Voting normally by show of hands based on simple majority (excluding co-opted members)

Minutes

Summary report of activity submitted to Research and Enterprise

Terms of Reference

The Terms of Reference for Research Ethics Committee should be reviewed at least annually, normally at the first meeting of each academic year.

Frequency of meetings

Normally every month per academic year.

 

First Point of Contact Regarding Research Integrity

In the event of any inquiries or concerns regarding issues of research integrity, contact the Chair of the University Research Ethics Committee, Professor Emma Bond at research.ethics@uos.ac.uk

University of Suffolk Postgraduate (PGR) Research Ethics Committee

Purpose

The University of Suffolk PGR Ethics Committee is responsible for advising the University Research Ethics Committee on the development, implementation and review of institutional procedures and guidelines relating to ethical issues arising from postgraduate research activities and best practice guidance. The Committee will oversee research integrity for all postgraduate research, including monitoring compliance with the Concordat to Support Research Integrity.

Terms of Reference

  1. To ensure that postgraduate research involving human and non-human participants is conducted according to appropriate ethical, legal and professional frameworks, obligations and standards.
  2. To ensure parity and consistency the committee will provide pan-university approval for any changes to the process for student applications for ethical approval across the University on all undergraduate, PGT and PGR courses (noting any changes to PGR must also be approved by the RETH and PGR committee).
  3. To consider undergraduate and taught master applications from Schools which have been referred for additional advice as they are deemed to be non-routine, intrusive or likely to be ethically problematic or where institutional approval is specifically required.
  4. To note and act on recent legislation/developments which may have ethical implications for postgraduate research undertaken at the University including compliance of the General Regulations for Student at the following institutions:
    1. University of Brighton
    2. University of East Anglia
    3. University of Essex
  1. To set and ensure that expectations for training in research integrity and ethics are met, and that appropriate safeguarding training and Disclosure and Barring Service checks of dissertation supervisors and students are appropriate.
  2. To report to and make recommendations to the University Research Ethics committee and PGR Committee as required.
  3. To use transparent, robust and fair processes to deal with allegations of research misconduct in relation to postgraduate research should they arise.

Membership Ex officio

  • Head of Graduate School (Chair)
  • Associate Dean - Research, School of Social Sciences and Humanities
  • Associate Dean - Research, School of Engineering, Arts, Science and Technology
  • Associate Dean - Research, School of Health and Sport Sciences
  • Associate Dean - Research, Suffolk Business School
  • Lay Member - Rebecca Newman (Appointed: December 2021)
  • Head of Research Development
  • Head of Research Management
  • Graduate School Coordinator (Committee Secretary)

First Point of Contact Regarding Research Integrity

In the event of any enquiries or concerns regarding issues of research integrity, please contact the Chair of the University Research Ethics Committee (Staff), Professor Emma Bond at research.ethics@uos.ac.uk

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