UREC Ethics Review: staff and PGR projects

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The University Research Ethics Committee (UREC) reviews ethics applications for projects involving human participants or their data. This applies to LJMU staff or postgraduate research (PGR) students. Following consultation with supervisors, School RECs, module/programme leaders and School Directors UREC will review ethics applications for undergraduate and PGT student projects that do not satisfy the criteria for School REC review – and only if the student’s supervisor has explored whether the project can be revised to meet the School REC criteria.

To submit an ethics application to UREC:

Complete the ethics application form and supporting documents
Submit the ethics application via the UREC Research Ethics and Governance Submission Tool
- Only LJMU staff investigator or supervisors of student projects may submit
- The tool will automatically route the application to the appropriate review route based on the responses.

If you need help, please watch this 12-minute guidance video for an overview of the submission process and tips to help ensure an efficient review.

UREC review routes

Routine Review for projects that meets the guidance criteria for routine UREC ethical review. Reviewed at a scheduled UREC meeting (every 4 to 6 weeks). The submission deadline is 11 working days before the meeting. The Chair will screen ethics applications for completeness and if revisions are needed, applicants must resubmit at least 6 days before the meeting. Decisions are typically communicated within 1-3 working days after the meeting. Resubmitted ethics applications are usually reviewed by Chairs action within 5 working days.
Proportionate (Two-Person) Review for projects NOT covered by SP&BP01 Projects associated with minimal ethical issues and NOT requiring routine review. Ethics applications reviewed by two UREC members (including the Chair or Deputy Co-Chair) usually within 10 working day (up to 3 weeks in July/Aug). Resubmissions after deferral are typically reviewed within 5 working days (up to 3 weeks in July/August).
Minimal Ethical Issues Review for projects covered by SP&BP01 Projects associated with minimal ethical issues. Ethics applications are usually reviewed within 1-5 working days (up to 3 weeks in July/August).

Guidance criteria to help determine the appropriate review route is embedded within the UREC Research Ethics and Governance Submission Tool. However, the guidance criteria is not definitive. UREC or its Chair may reassign the route after reviewing the ethics application. Applicants should therefore always plan for the possibility of routine UREC review, even if they believe their project qualifies proportionate or minimal review.

UREC decisions

A favourable ethics opinion and research governance approval
Deferral - pending resubmission of a revised ethics application
Revise and resubmit – more information needed before review
Unfavourable ethics opinion - research governance not approved

UREC Committee Composition

Chair: Dr. Dave Harriss, LJMU Research Governance Manager (Research & Innovation Services)
Secretary: Mandy Williams, Research Support Officer (Research & Innovation Services)
Members: Academic staff from across LJMU Schools and external lay members