UK University Research Ethics Committees Forum
Meeting held on Tuesday 04th November 2014, 11:00, at King’s College London
Attendees:
Andrew Rawnsley
Teesside University
Linda Covill
University of Oxford
Ann Skingley
Canterbury
Lorna Carter
CUREC University of Oxford
Anna Ramberg
City University
Lyn Grove
London School of Economics
Anna Ramberg
City University
Maru Mormina
University of Winchester
Beverley Pascoe
Anglia Ruskin University
Martin Johnson
Aston University
Birgit Whitman
University of Bristol
Matthew Billington
Univerity of Liverpool
Carmel Collins
The Open University
Michael Seed
University of East London
Catherine Fieulleteau
University of East London
Mike Ford
Bristish School of Osteopathy
David Anderson-Ford
Brunel University
Neville Punchard
University of East London
Genevieve Pridham
University of Manchester
Nichola Seare
Aston University
Gordon Weller
Middlesex University
Nicole Palmer
University of Kent
Hannah Pope
Institute of Education
Omar Ali
University of Bradford
Hazel Covill
Queen Mary
Paula McGee
Birmingham City University
University of London
Rhys Morgan
University of Cambridge
Helen Butt
Brunel University
Roger Bone
Helen Dougal
University College London
Canterbury Christ Church
University
Hilary Ougham
University of Brighton
Rowena Lamb
Institute of Education
James Williams
Birmingham City University
Sarah Manning-Press
University of Essex
Jane Haycocks
Royal Holloway
Sharon Manship
Canterbury
Jeremy Barraud
University of the Arts
Timothy Stibbs
University of Manchester
London
Tom Billins
King's College London
Julie Scott
Anglia Ruskin University
Tracey Cockerton
Middlesex University
Kathryn Dally
University of Oxford
Trish Vella-Burrows
Canterbury
Kim Forbes
Kingston University
1. Introductions
Attendees were welcomed by the Chair. The committee expressed their thanks to King’s College for
facilitating the Forum.
2. Notes of meeting held on 24th June 2014
Notes from the meeting were approved.
1
3. Association for Research Ethics (AfRE) update
- The annual AfRE conference takes place in London 14th November 2014. Please see the website for further
details: http://www.arec.org.uk/calendar.asp
- AfRE will provide a workshop on ‘Social Media and the Internet’ hosted by Bristol University on 10th march
2015.
- A module to facilitate ethics support for the EU context to be discussed.
- Question raised concerning AfRE position on whether University RECs should provide an ethical review
service for commercial enterprises. AfRE to be contacted for enquiries.
4. Watching briefs:
4.1 EU Clinical Trials Regulation
An update was given about the anticipated changes towards a single approval process. Issue raised
concerning tight approval timelines and the fact that missed time frames are considered consent for trials to
run. Further clarification to come.
4.2 Plans by HRA to replace the Research Governance Framework
The HRA governance framework is to change; working groups have been set-up. Progress will be monitored.
4.3 HSCIC – review of data releases made by the NHS Information centre
The HSCIC have asked institutions about their data sharing agreements and central logs. Institutions should
be aware of whether they have a central log and who signs the agreements.
4.4 Open access
Issue of response to requests by journals for historic data. How do institutions respond to such requests? An
issue that needs urgent attention.
4.5 Development opportunities and sharing of training events / materials
Are training events / materials shared across institutions and if so how? UKRIO cited as having useful case
studies. Call for events / materials to be shared with AfRE. Indiana University has good material on its site.
Templates particularly needed.
4.6 What has been the major issue in your institution
- Issue of credits and acknowledgements for students and tutors for research publications and authorship
policies.
- Issue of where to find online sources of training for staff. Epigieum cited as a good online resource.
Workshops considered by many as more useful than online training. Suggestion that institutions survey staff
on their research ethics needs.
2
Part 2
Discussion session: Implementing A Hosted Electronic Ethics Approval System – Our Experience
King's College and Infonetica will talk about the experience of partnering with a commercial organisation
to supply the online, University-wide research ethics platform.
The discussion included:
-
Balancing the main benefits between researchers, administrators & reviewers
Developing a generic ethics form for all ethics approvals.
How the supplier was chosen and the system tailored for King’s College.
Dates of Future Meetings:
11.00 on Tuesday 27thJanuary 2015 at King's College London
11.00 on Tuesday 23rd June 2015 at King's College London
To find out more information about:
 UK URECs Forum please email rec@kcl.ac.uk.
 Association of Research Ethics Committees (AREC) enquiries, please email jackiemaull@arec.org.uk
3