Research ethics and integrity
Process for research ethics approval
How the process works, key contacts and committees.
After discussing your research with your supervisor or line manager, applications should be submitted to your School Research Ethics Committee (SREC).
From 1 November 2022 this will be an online process using our Ethics Monitor.
Please log in using your usual York St John University credentials. Guides to completing each question are embedded in the new software.
If you have a question about the system, please contact ResearchOffice@yorksj.ac.uk.
If you have any questions regarding your research, please contact your Research Lead.
Once received by your SREC, they will either:
- Approve
- Request more information
- Escalate it to the University Research Ethics and Integrity Sub-committee (UREISC) if considered to be high risk
All paper forms submitted up to Wednesday 30 November 2022 will be reviewed by your SREC, but after this date these will no longer be acceptable. The application form can be downloaded below:
Ethical approval application form (DOCx, 74.1 kB)
Approval must be given for all research and must be in place before your research begins.
Ethical Support for Professional Services
If you are a member of Professional Services at York St John and require advice, or ethical approval relating to specific projects, please contact the Research Office, ResearchOffice@yorksj.ac.uk, for further help.
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 Helen Trouille | h.trouille@yorksj.ac.uk | 31 January 2022 | 31 January 2025 |
| 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