Ethics and Research Governance Committee

Ethics and Research Governance Committee

TERMS OF REFERENCE

The Committee seeks to maintain high ethical standards in the conduct of research undertaken either at or under the auspices of the University of Worcester. It aims to ensure the well-being of those involved in research, whether as researchers or participants, and to safeguard the standards and reputation of the institution in matters of academic and professional practice.

It functions as a sub-committee of the Research & Knowledge Transfer Committee.

1. To promulgate good conduct in research and professional practice across the institution.
2. To act in an advisory capacity to University Committees, Institute Committees, Research Centres and individuals (staff or student) on ethical and research governance matters.
3. To keep the University’s Guidelines on Ethics and Research Governance under review, responding in particular to Research Council and Government Frameworks/Guidelines, and to make recommendations to Academic Board for their development.
4. To keep the University’s procedures for ethical approval of staff/student research projects under review, responding in particular to Research Council and Government Framework/Guidelines, and to make recommendations to Academic Board for their development.
5. To ensure mechanisms are in place to monitor the conduct of research that has been granted approval.
6. To monitor the operation of Institute Ethics Sub-Committees/Groups and to receive reports from these groups via the Institute R&KT sub-committees.
7. To undertake final reviews of research projects (staff and student) when such projects are referred to the Committee by Institutes.
8. To formulate institutional responses to national and international developments relating to ethical and research governance issues.

MEMBERSHIP 2012/13

Chair – Professor Derek Peters

Secretary – Dr John-Paul Wilson (GRS)

Lay Member - Rev. Robert Barlow

Nominee (IoE) – Dr Sue Howarth

Nominee (IH&S) – Dr Helen Taylor

Nominee (IHCA) – Dr Mehreen Mirza

Nominee (ISE) – Mr Ian Callow

Nominee (ISES) – Dr Gyozo Molnar

Nominee (WBS) – Dr Helen Watts

Nominee (Research Centre) - Dr Mahmut Tor

Nominee (RKTC) – Professor Derek Peters 

Nominee (RDB) – Dr Stephen Parker

Minuting Secretary - Mrs Charlotte Wasilewski