Ethical review

Information about ethical review and related committees at the University of Plymouth

Paper people surrounded by hands in gesture of protection. Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Applying for ethical approval

There are different pathways to approval depending on your area of research.

The Faculty Research Ethics and Integrity Committees(FREICs), their applications forms and guidance will help you to understand what to include in your application and what issues need to be addressed. Please, find below the relevant section for your research.

The University Research Ethics and Integrity Committee (UREIC) has overall responsibility for the development, implementation and monitoring of research ethics and integrity policies, and has representatives from all FREIC committees. Professor Archie Clements is Chair of the Committee and is the University’s senior member of staff responsible for ethics and integrity.

For further information contact the UREIC Secretary Dr John Martin or the UREIC administrator Dee Champion.

Research with human participants

Contact your faculty committee administrator first (listed below) to inform them of your intention to submit an application. The ethical review forms and specific guidance can be found in the Ethics Online System, with additional information linked below (requires University sign-in):

Research with NHS and social care subjects

Research with NHS and social care subjects is approved by the Health Research Authority (HRA).

Apply through: The Integrated Research Application System (IRAS).
For sign off of submissions to HRA please contact Sponsor Representative for HRA/IRAS Applications at plymouth.sponsor@plymouth.ac.uk.
To obtain information about Research Passports/Letters of Access see NIHR: Research Passports.
Be aware that the outcome of all HRA Approvals must be reported to the relevant University Faculty Ethics and Integrity Committee (listed below).

Research involving human tissue

The use of human tissue in research is covered by Human Tissue Act (2004) legislation for the storage and use of human tissue from the living, and the removal, storage and use of tissue from the deceased. The University of Plymouth holds a corporate licence to store human tissue classed as ‘relevant material’ under the Act, for research purposes only (not for human application).

All studies involving human tissue must be University sponsored and have received NHS National Research Ethics Service approval and the relevant Faculty Research Ethics and Integrity Committee notified. On expiry of ethical approval, any remaining samples are booked in and stored under licence.

The University guidelines are available here.(requires University sign-in).

Medical student looking through a microscope

Research with non-human live organisms

The use of animals at the University is carried out under the strict regulations of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act (1986)/EU Directive 2010/63/EU, operated by the Home Office.

The University holds a Home Office establishment licence and all researchers are required to hold a personal licence in order to carry out any research involving animals. All such work is carried out under a specific project licence held for each individual project. Please, find detailed information about the University Governance Board and Animal Welfare, research guidance and ethical approval process on our use of animals in research pages.