UK University Research Ethics Committees Forum

Meeting held on Tuesday 04th November 2014, 11:00, at King’s College London

Attendees:

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Andrew Rawnsley / Teesside University
Ann Skingley / Canterbury
Anna Ramberg / City University
Anna Ramberg / City University
Beverley Pascoe / Anglia Ruskin University
Birgit Whitman / University of Bristol
Carmel Collins / The Open University
Catherine Fieulleteau / University of East London
David Anderson-Ford / Brunel University
Genevieve Pridham / University of Manchester
Gordon Weller / Middlesex University
Hannah Pope / Institute of Education
Hazel Covill / Queen Mary
University of London
Helen Butt / Brunel University
Helen Dougal / University College London
Hilary Ougham / University of Brighton
James Williams / Birmingham City University
Jane Haycocks / Royal Holloway
Jeremy Barraud / University of the Arts
London
Julie Scott / Anglia Ruskin University
Kathryn Dally / University of Oxford
Kim Forbes / Kingston University
Linda Covill / University of Oxford
Lorna Carter / CUREC University of Oxford
Lyn Grove / London School of Economics
Maru Mormina / University of Winchester
Martin Johnson / Aston University
Matthew Billington / Univerity of Liverpool
Michael Seed / University of East London
Mike Ford / Bristish School of Osteopathy
Neville Punchard / University of East London
Nichola Seare / Aston University
Nicole Palmer / University of Kent
Omar Ali / University of Bradford
Paula McGee / Birmingham City University
Rhys Morgan / University of Cambridge
Roger Bone / Canterbury Christ Church University
Rowena Lamb / Institute of Education
Sarah Manning-Press / University of Essex
Sharon Manship / Canterbury
Timothy Stibbs / University of Manchester
Tom Billins / King's College London
Tracey Cockerton / Middlesex University
Trish Vella-Burrows / Canterbury

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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.

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.

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 onTuesday 27thJanuary 2015 at King's College London

11.00 onTuesday 23rd June 2015at King's College London

To find out more information about:

§  UK URECs Forum please email .

§  Association of Research Ethics Committees (AREC) enquiries, please email

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