Subject:Lay and Co-Opted Members of Theethics Approvals (Human Participants) Sub-Committee

ETHICS COMMITTEE PAPER

Subject:Lay and Co-opted members of theEthics Approvals (Human Participants) Sub-Committee

Origin:Jackie Green, Research Governance Officer

Action: 1. To approve the addition of up to two lay-members to the Ethics Approvals (Human Participants) Sub-Committee (HPSC) membershipas recommended by the review of our ethics processes. The following text would be added to the Code of Practice on Investigations involving Human Participants:

Up to two lay persons, who have no affiliation with Loughborough University, are not currently involved in medical or scientific research linked to the University and who are preferably from the local Leicestershire community. These are honorary positions for not more than three consecutive years after which such a member cannot be eligible for membership until the expiration of one year from the end of their term of office.

2. To approve the job and role description for the recruitment of lay-members to the HPSC.

3. To approve the job and role description for co-opted members to the HPSC to facilitate the recruitment of new co-opted members. The current constitution allows for the recruitment of up to four co-opted membersfrom within the University with relevant specialist expertise, e.g. Occupational Health, the Medical Centre, Counselling and Disability Services.

Lay Members, Ethics Approvals (Human Participants) Sub-Committee

Role Description

Research is a core strategic component at Loughborough University and we have an active research community working across the University’s eleven Schools. Research conducted by Loughborough researchers must meet ethical, health and safety requirements and the University has statutory obligations to maintain an ethical and safe research environment.

The Loughborough University Ethics Committee serves to advise Council on ethical matters arising in the conduct of the University’s business. The Ethics Committee delegates some specific approval work to Sub-Committees. The Ethics Approvals (Human Participants) Sub-Committee (HPSC) is responsible for oversight of all research involving human participants. The HPSC comprises researchers, expert professionals and lay members.

The HPSC reviews all research (including some Undergraduate and Postgraduate projects) which involve any element of interaction with human participants. Twelve meetings are scheduled per annum at intervals of 4 to 6 weeks. Meetings are held on theUniversity main campus. These comprise:

Proposal Meetings (9) - generally last for up to 3 hours; preparation for the meeting can take up to 3 hours. These meetings consider submitted research proposals. Lay members may be asked to attend a limited number of Proposal Meetings (a maximum of 2 per year).

Main meetings (3) - can take up to 4 hours; preparation for these meetings can take up to 4 hours.These meetings consider submitted research proposals and policy matters are also discussed. Lay members would be invited to attend the three Main meetings.

Membership

The HPSC states that its lay membership should comprise of:

Up to two lay persons, who have no affiliation with Loughborough University, are not currently involved in medical or scientific research linked to the University and who are preferably from the local Leicestershire community. These are honorary positions for not more than three consecutive years after which such a member cannot be eligible for membership until the expiration of one year from the end of their term of office.

Lay members are not paid a fee but reasonable expenses are reimbursed on request.

Person Specification

The person should possess the following abilities:

• Have a strong commitment to the interests of research participants and general awareness of public perception and current research issues.
• Have a strong commitment to holding researchers up to the highest standards.
• Be a good communicator with a practical approach and the confidence to voice their opinions.
• Be able to read, understand and analyse complex issues from research proposals and weigh up conflicting opinions.
• Be able to take an objective stance, looking at a situation from different perspectives.
• Be able to discuss issues with people who may not agree with them, including being able to influence and listen to the views of others from a range of backgrounds.
• Be available to attend, at a minimum, the three main meetings of the HPSC. The person may also be asked to attend a limited number of proposal meetings (a maximum of 2 per year).
• Understand the requirement for confidentiality in issues faced by the HPSC.
• Be willing to undertake training arranged by Loughborough Universityto equip themselves to carry out the role of HPSC lay member.

In addition, access to a personal computer and internet connection are essential. Committee documents are confidential and members are expected to abide by the Nolan principles:

Please note that this is an honorary position.

Liability

University Committee decisions are made on a collective basis and it is very unlikely that individual members of the Sub-Committee will be at risk of claims of negligence.

However, it should be noted that they are covered by the University’s Professional Indemnity cover in respect of the costs of any claim of negligence which may be made against them in the course of carrying out of their duties as a member of the Sub-Committee.

Further Information

Further information about the HPSC, and their Terms of Reference, is available from or by contacting the Research Governance Officer, Ms Jackie Green.

Express an Interest

Expressions of interest, addressing the above criteria and enclosing a short CV, are welcome byemailor in hard-copy format sent to the address below:

Ms Jackie Green, Research Governance Officer, Research Office, Hazlerigg Building, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU or by email to

Co-opted Members, Ethics Approvals (Human Participants) Sub-Committee

Role Description

Research is a core strategic component at Loughborough University and we have an active research community working across the University’s eleven Schools. Research conducted by Loughborough researchers must meet ethical, health and safety requirements and the University has statutory obligations to maintain an ethical and safe research environment.

The Loughborough University Ethics Committee serves to advise Council on ethical matters arising in the conduct of the University’s business. The Ethics Committee delegates some specific approval work to Sub-Committees. The Ethics Approvals (Human Participants) Sub-Committee (HPSC) is responsible for oversight of all research involving human participants. The HPSC comprises researchers, expert professionals and lay members.

The HPSC reviews all research (including some Undergraduate and Postgraduate projects) which involve any element of interaction with human participants. Twelve meetings are scheduled per annum at intervals of 4 to 6 weeks. Meetings are held on the University campus. These comprise:

Proposal Meetings (9) - generally last for up to 3 hours; preparation for the meeting can take up to 3 hours. These meetings consider submitted research proposals. Co-opted members may be asked to attend a limited number of Proposal Meetings (a maximum of 2 per year).

Main meetings (3) - can take up to 4 hours; preparation for these meetings can take up to 4 hours.These meetings consider submitted research proposals and policy matters are also discussed. Co-opted members would be invited to attend the three Main meetings.

Membership

The HPSC states that its membership should comprise of up to 4 co-opted members.

Co-opted members can hold office, under normal circumstances, for not more than three consecutive years after which such a member cannot be eligible for co-option until the expiration of one year from the end of their term of office.

Co-opted members will have expertise to offer to the business of the committee but may not be clear representatives of any particular grouping associated with the committee.

Person Specification

The person should possess the following:

• Be available to attend, at a minimum, the three main meetings of the HPSC. The person may also be asked to attend a limited number of proposal meetings (a maximum of 2 per year).
• Have a strong commitment to the interests of research participants and an awareness of the current issues affecting public opinion.
• Have a strong commitment to holding researchers up to the highest standards.
• Be a good communicator with a practical approach and the confidence to voice their opinions.
• Be able to read, understand and analyse complex issues from research proposals and weigh up conflicting opinions.
• Be able to take an objective stance, looking at a situation from different perspectives.
• Be able to discuss issues with people who may not agree with them, including being able to influence and listen to the views of others from a range of backgrounds.
• Understand the requirement for confidentiality in issues faced by the HPSC.
• Be willing to undertake necessary training arranged by Loughborough University to equip themselves to carry out the role of HPSC member.

Committee documents are confidential.

Liability

University Committee decisions are made on a collective basis and it is very unlikely that individual members of the Sub-Committee will be at risk of claims of negligence.

However, it should be noted that they are covered by the University’s Professional Indemnity cover in respect of the costs of any claim of negligence which may be made against them in the course of carrying out of their duties as a member of the Sub-Committee.

Further Information

Further information about the HPSC, and their Terms of Reference, is available from or by contacting the Research Governance Officer:

Ms Jackie Green, Research Governance Officer, Research Office, Hazlerigg Building, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU or by email to