Research ethics and integrity
Process for research ethics approval
How the process works, key contacts and committees.
After first discussing your research with your supervisor or line manager, applications should be submitted to your School Research Ethics Committee (SREC) using the contacts below.
They will consider the application and will either:
- Approve it
- Request more information
- Escalate it to the University Research Ethics and Integrity Sub-committee (UREISC) if considered to be high risk
You will need to complete the application form and have approval before your research starts:
Ethical approval application form (DOCx, 74.1 kB)
School Research Ethics Committee (SREC) contacts
| School | Chair | Start date | Expiry date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arts | Professor Lee Higgins | l.higgins@yorksj.ac.uk | 1 January 2020 | 31 December 2022 |
| Humanities | Dr Olalekan Adekola | o.adekola@yorksj.ac.uk | 1 January 2020 | 31 December 2022 |
| Education, Language and Psychology | Dr Scott Cole | s.cole1@yorksj.ac.uk | 1 January 2020 | 31 December 2022 |
| York Business School | Dr Josephine Biglin | j.biglin@yorksj.ac.uk | 1 October 2021 | 30 September 2024 |
| Science, Technology and Health | Dr Sophie Carter | s.carter@yorksj.ac.uk | 1 May 2021 | 30 April 2024 |
University Research Ethics and Integrity Sub-committee (UREISC)
If the School Committee is unable to make a decision, or the application relates to work with the NHS, the School Research Ethics Committee (SREC) will escalate to the University Research Ethics and Integrity Sub-committee (UREISC). The committee includes the Ethics Lead from each school in addition to the:
- Pro Vice Cancellor - Research and Knowledge Transfer
- Head of the Research Office
- Head of Library and Learning Services
- Head of Communications and Media Relations
- Information and Governance
It also comments on ethical risks relating to internal projects, which are not deemed to be research. Examples include:
- The collection and storage of personal data on behalf of the University
- Equality and diversity
Committee members are given a minimum of 3 weeks to review any submission and this may be longer if additional information is required. Please factor in any possible delay to your research plan.
On completion of their review, applications will either be:
- Approved
- Require more information
- Rejected (a full explanation will be given)
Please contact ResearchOffice@yorksj.ac.uk for further information
Haplo/Cayuse
In Spring 2022, York St John will be introducing a new electronic system to submit and review submissions for ethical approval. This has been designed with the end user in mind and we have worked alongside academics from across the University.
This will provide a tailored solution based on ethical risk for Postgraduate Researchers (PGRs) and staff. If you would like further details of the coming changes please contact your School Ethics Lead or the Research Office: ResearchOffice@yorksj.ac.uk