Research Ethics Applications and Guidance

The Council of the School of the Biological Sciences, with the approval of the General Board, established a Committee to consider ethical aspects of psychological research projects with human participants and/or personal data that are considered to be low risk and are not covered by the PREC or the Health Research Authority (HRA) Research Ethics Service. 

The Committee oversees the self-certification of ethical approval of low-risk research projects with human participants submitted by University Teaching Officers from the Department of Psychology. It is for University Teaching Officers to determine whether the project meets the low-risk criteria, although advice may be sought from the Committee if required. The policy and guidelines of the Committee comply with those of the University Research Ethics Committee (UREC), to which an Annual Report is submitted.

In fulfilling its terms of reference, and mindful of the University’s Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech and the need to have particular regard for the importance of free speech within the law, the Committee will consider whether any decisions that it takes, on policy or other matters, could directly or indirectly (and positively or negatively) affect free speech within the law and record in its decisions any significant points arising from these deliberations.

Procedure 

The Committee maintains a restricted access Microsoft Form where application forms can be submitted.

The Department's SharePoint Ethics webpage provides information and guidance on preparing applications, together with links to submit an application as well as other relevant resources and supporting information.

Updated October 2026