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Background Information
The University Ethics Committee was originally established in 1973, with a remit to draw up a set of Guidelines for areas of teaching and research within the University which involved considerations of an ethical nature.
In 2003, the Senate approved a revision to the terms of reference, title, constitution and the current membership provision of the Committee, and in 2005, further endorsement was given to a set of recommendations to devolve authority to grant ethical review functions to Faculties, in respect of undergraduate and postgraduate taught level research proposals.
In 2008, the Senate approved changes to the University Ethics Committee constitution to increase its membership and formally include the Deputy Chair and lay member. The revisions have also ensured that all relevant disciplines are covered thoroughly by staff expertise.
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Terms of Reference
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To consider general issues arising within the University which involve considerations of an ethical nature.
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To prepare guidelines in relation to ethical issues which may arise from teaching and research activities within the University.
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To be available for consultation on such ethical issues by the Senate or any other corporate body, and by individual members of staff or students of the University.
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To consider, and in appropriate cases, approve specific representations and research protocols submitted to it by members of staff and students of the University, or representatives of certain external bodies working in collaboration with members of the University.
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To report on the exercise of the Committee’s functions, and make recommendations to the Senate, as appropriate, through the Executive Board, on key matters of policy and strategy related to ethics.
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University Ethics Committee Procedure
Consideration of protocols operates on a continuous basis. (See ‘Guidelines for Submission’ for process instructions). The University Ethics Committee meets on a regular basis throughout the academic year, but research protocols requiring the ethical review of the Committee are normally dealt with by correspondence on a continuous basis.
Proposals are only given a favourable ethical opinion on the unanimous decision of Committee members, and not on a majority decision. In the event that any member expresses a serious concern about a particular research proposal, and the investigator has not been able to address that concern to the satisfaction of the relevant Committee member, an extraordinary meeting of the Committee may be convened to attempt to resolve outstanding issues.
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Faculty Ethics Committees
Faculty Ethics Committees have been established for the following Faculties:
Faculty Committees review protocols submitted by Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Taught) students. The University Ethics Committee reviews protocols submitted by Postgraduate (Research) students, Faculty of Engineering & Physical Science students, staff and all other groups.
These Committees are sub-committees of the University Ethics Committee, and act in accordance with its published procedures and practices. The Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences has too few instances per year to warrant its own Ethics Committee; these protocols are sent to the main University Ethics Committee.
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Responsibilities
Deans of Faculty or Heads of Department are responsible for research and teaching carried out within their own Faculty/Department and under the supervision of their own staff. It is the responsibility of all supervisors to ensure that any students involved in research or experimentation are aware of the University’s Ethical Guidelines for Teaching and Research, and that these Guidelines are observed.
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URL: http://portal.surrey.ac.uk/registry/ethics
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