Central University Research Ethics Committee A

Committee description

Secretaries:

Email: ethics@liverpool.ac.uk

• Matthew Billington
• Dr Sarah Cooper
• Ekaterina Churkina
• Dr Amy Schofield
• Adam Shaw
• Karin Sorensen

Committee description

The Central University Research Ethics Committees are responsible for receiving details and considering the ethical aspects of University research projects involving human participants, human material, or personal data, where the degree of ethical risk is deemed more than minimal; and where they do not fall solely under the remit of another ethical review body. The aim of the committees is to facilitate ethical research.

Preamble from the University Policy on Research Ethics

The University is committed to maintaining the highest standards of rigour and integrity in its research. As a component of this commitment, the University requires that all research projects which involve human participants, or human material, or personal data should receive research ethics approval before they commence. The ‘Scope and exemptions’ section of the University Policy on research ethics outlines the types of projects that are outside the remit of a University ethical review.

1. To provide an ethical review which seeks to ensure that University research projects involving human participants, human material, or personal data, are carried out in accordance with the research ethics principles specified in the Declaration of Helsinki, the University of Liverpool research ethics policy and other relevant ethical guidelines.
2. To approve as proposed; to request further clarification or modification; or to refuse approval of applications and amendments received.
3. To receive regular reports on the progress and outcomes of studies approved by the Committee, where this has been requested as part of the review.
4. To provide regular reports on decisions reached by the Committee to the Committee on Research Ethics.
5. To review appeals, complaints, and adverse events or incidents reported regarding ethically approved research.
6. To revoke or suspend an approval already granted if the study procedures deviate from those specified in the proposal, or if the conduct of the researchers is unsatisfactory.
7. To refer any perceived failure of a Principal Investigator or other researcher to comply fully with their obligations relating to the conduct of research to the University’s Named Person for Research Integrity (integrity@liverpool.ac.uk) for investigation in accordance with the Policy on Misconduct in Research.
8. To audit and review ethics approvals granted by the Committee on a regular basis.
9. To promote awareness and understanding of ethical issues in research throughout the University academic community.

Procedures and regulations

1. Further information on the processes for University research ethics review can be found within the ‘Procedures’ section of the research ethics handbook.
2. The University’s research ethics committees cannot grant research ethics approval retrospectively. In some cases, applications may disclose that the research has already started without first obtaining research ethics approval. This is a breach of the University’s Policy on research ethics, and all such cases will be referred to the University’s Named Person for Research Integrity (integrity@liverpool.ac.uk) for consideration as part of the University’s Policy on misconduct in research. Such applications should be considered invalid.
3. Only employees of the University may act as the Principal Investigator for applications requesting approval. Student researchers must be under the supervision of a member of staff.
4. Applications requiring ethical review under the Animals in Scientific Procedures Act 1986 must be referred to the Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (awcom@liverpool.ac.uk).
5. When a Committee member perceives a conflict of interest – for example, when they have a direct involvement in the research project being reviewed, they shall declare this to the Committee Chair and Committee Secretary.
6. The Chairs of the Central University Research Ethics Committees will sit as members of the Committee on Research Ethics.
7. With the exception of the Chairs of the Research Ethics Committees within the Faculty, Committee members shall only sit one of the University’s research ethics committees.
8. Committee members are expected to attend at least 50% of the Committee’s meetings during the academic year.
9. The University of Liverpool will provide indemnity for members of the Committee.
10. These terms of reference and the membership of the Committee will be reviewed annually.

Central University Research Ethics Committees A, B, and C will usually meet on six occasions during the academic year. Additional meetings may be scheduled where necessary.

Central University Research Ethics Committees D, and the Central University Research Ethics Committees Online Programmes will not have set meetings; instead, Committee meetings will be scheduled as and when required based on when applications are received.

A quorum of a minimum of one third of the total membership will be required for any meetings of the Committee. At least one Lay or External Member, and the Chair or Vice-Chair - or an acting Chair nominated by the Chair - must be present.

At the discretion of the Chair, in the event of a meeting not being quorate, the opinion of absent members shall be sought by email and included, as appropriate, in the discussion.