Ethics Framework: Annex to the Ethics Committee Standing Orders

1. Introduction

The Ethics Framework document provides guidance on the University's mechanisms for the consideration of ethical issues within the University. It is to be considered in conjunction with the Standing Orders of the University's Ethics Committee whose Terms of Reference are as follows:

a) To provide, in support of Council's responsibility for the ethical governance of the University, an annual assurance report to Senate and Council on the operation of the University's Ethics Framework. This report shall normally be provided in the Michaelmas term.

b) To monitor and review the University's Ethics Framework in the light of the University's developing ethical experience and the external ethics environment and to propose changes as required.

c) To provide advice to Senate and Council on ethical issues as the Committee deems appropriate or as requested by these bodies.

d) To review, in exceptional circumstances, referrals and appeals following consideration by a Faculty Ethics Sub-Committee.

2. Devolution of Ethical Review Responsibilities to the Ethics Sub-Committees

a) The Committee formally delegates to the Ethics Sub-Committees the authority to assess and determine applications (with a copy of the consent form and information sheet to be given to participants) from within or across Faculties and Departments/ Schools for all research, teaching, learning, and other projects which involve human participants and/ or raise ethical issues where these applications are from staff or students.

b) The Committee recognises the entitlement of each Faculty Ethics Sub-Committee and its members, to whom powers/ duties are delegated, to request advice/ a decision from the Committee on problematic issues. Departmental/ School Ethics Sub-Committees are entitled to request advice from the appropriate Faculty Ethics Sub-Committee.

c) The Committee recognises the entitlement of staff and students to appeal against the decision made by a Departmental/ School Ethics Sub- Committee. Such appeals will be heard by the relevant Faculty Ethics Sub-Committee. In exceptional cases an appeal may be referred to the Ethics Committee. An appeal against the decision made by a Faculty Ethics Sub-Committee will normally be heard by another Faculty Ethics Sub-Committee as determined by the Chair of the Ethics Committee.

3. Duties of the Ethics Committee regarding the Devolution of Ethical Review Responsibilities

a) To provide Advisory Standing Orders and Procedures for adoption by the Ethics Sub-Committees as the basis for their consideration of, and advisory decisions on, individual research, teaching, learning, and other projects which involve human participants and/ or raise ethical issues.

In developing Advisory Standing Orders and Procedures for the Ethics Sub-Committees the Committee shall include in its consideration:

(i) the University Strategy, policies and procedures;
(ii) the Codes of Professional Practice and Codes of Ethics to which individual service/academic Departments/Schools/Faculties may be subject;
(iii) the requirements of relevant regulatory agencies and of applicable laws.
Note: It is not for the Committee, nor for the Sub-Committees to provide specific interpretation of regulations or laws, but each may indicate in its advice to the project leader [and host institution/sponsor where these are not the University] where it believes further consideration needs to be given to such matters.

b) To consider recommendations from individual Faculty Ethics Sub-Committees for adaptations to the Sub-Committee's Standing Orders and Procedures to fit the needs of the Faculty. The Faculty Ethics Sub-Committees consider recommendations for adaptations to Departmental/ School Ethics Sub-Committee Standing Orders.

c) To monitor annually: minutes and reports on activity from the Faculty Ethics Sub-Committees. The Faculty Ethics Sub-Committees consider consolidated lists of activity from Departmental/ School Ethics Sub-Committees on an annual basis.

d) To consider individual applications for Ethical Review referred by the Chairs of Faculty Ethics Sub-Committees on the grounds that such referred applications could not be determined, being ethically problematic, and to advise both the applicant and Sub-Committee Chairs on whether or not the proposals are considered ethically acceptable. Departmental/ School Ethics Sub-Committees refer applications to the appropriate Faculty Ethics Sub-Committee in the first instance.

4. Referrals
Guidance on the referral of applications for external review is available on the Research Office website.