Skip to:

  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to accessibility
City, University of London
  • Student Hub
  • Staff Hub
Search
Menu
Home
  • Prospective students
    • Courses
      • Undergraduate degrees
      • Apprenticeships
      • Foundation courses
      • Postgraduate taught degrees
      • Postgraduate research degrees
      • Short courses
      • Professional development courses
        • My Home Life England Bitesize Programme (Online)
      • City Health courses
    • Apply
      • Entry requirements
      • How to apply
        • Undergraduate
        • Apprenticeship
        • Information for teachers
        • Postgraduate taught
        • Postgraduate research
          • Preparing your application
            • Preparing your research proposal
          • All PhD research projects
        • Booking Short Courses
          • Business and Management Short Courses
          • Computing Short Courses
          • Creative Industry Short Courses
          • Creative Writing Short Courses
            • The Novel Studio published alumni
          • Law Short Courses
          • Languages Courses Online | Languages Courses in London
      • Prospectus
        • Undergraduate
        • Postgraduate
      • Visas
        • Student visas
          • Applying from outside the UK
          • Applying from within the UK
          • Applying for a dependant visa
          • Preparing your application
          • Working in the UK
        • Standard Visitor visas
          • How to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa
          • Non-visa nationals
        • ATAS certificates
        • Brexit and European nationals
      • Study abroad programmes
        • Study abroad programme
        • Partnership programme
      • Clearing
        • Applying through Clearing
      • Alternative entry routes
        • Foundation programmes
        • Second-year students
        • Work experience
      • Contact Admissions
    • Finance
      • Funding options
      • Earn while you learn
      • How to pay
        • Payment methods
        • Fee schedules
        • Deposit refunds
      • Additional expenses
    • Accommodation and housing
      • Compare residential halls
      • Applying for halls
        • Undergraduate
        • Postgraduate
        • Clearing
      • Paying for halls
      • Private accommodation
        • Finding a place to live
        • Accommodation for families
      • Short-term accommodation
    • Open events and fairs
      • Campus tours
      • Online chats
        • Undergraduate online events
        • Postgraduate online events
        • Ask a student
      • University fairs
    • Student life
      • London experience
      • Local area
      • Sports
        • Sport clubs
        • Non-competitive sport
        • Competitive sport
      • Social activities and groups
      • Religion
      • Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer plus
      • Volunteering
      • Student wellbeing
        • Your health and wellbeing
        • Learning support
        • Young, estranged students
        • Care leavers
        • Young adult carers
        • Personal tutoring programme
      • Learn another language
    • Career development
      • Placements, internships and employment opportunities
        • Micro-placements
      • Career pathways
      • Job prospects and graduate destinations
      • Careers team
    • Subjects
  • Research
    • Research centres and groups
    • Research impact
      • Research Excellence Framework
      • Research case studies
    • Research strategy
    • Research support
      • Grants and funding
      • Integrity and ethics
        • Research ethics
          • Principles
          • Approval process
          • Approval outcomes and appeals
          • External ethics approvals
        • Ethics guidance and resources
          • Participant information and consent
          • Recruiting participants from City
          • Records management
          • Research conducted abroad
          • FAQ
        • Research integrity
          • Framework for good practice in research
          • Research misconduct
      • Research data
        • Managing active research data
        • Digital research data and Figshare
      • Researcher development
    • City Doctoral College
      • Prospective Doctoral Researchers
      • Current Doctoral Researchers
      • Doctoral Training Resources
        • Doctoral Researcher Development Programme (DRDP)
      • Scholarships and Funding
      • For Research Supervisors
      • Meet the Team
  • For businesses
    • Start your business
      • Develop your startup idea
        • One-to-one startup advice
        • The Good Entrepreneur Festival
        • Startup Camp
        • Startup Seminars
        • Side Hustle
        • CitySpark Workshops
      • Launch your startup
        • Start-up visa
        • Launch Lab
    • Grow your business
      • Fund your business
        • Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
      • Hire an academic consultant
      • Purchase our intellectual property
      • Companies formed
    • Develop your people
      • Bespoke training
      • My Home Life England
      • Degree apprenticeships for business
        • What is the apprenticeship levy?
    • Business impact case studies
    • Access our student talent
      • Recruit with us
      • Meet and support our students
        • Become a mentor
        • Employer engagement events
        • Micro-Placements
        • Industry Led Projects
      • Information for placement partners
        • Speech and Language Therapy training
  • Alumni and supporters
    • Alumni benefits
    • Alumni Events
    • Global alumni network
      • Networks and Groups
        • City Alumni LinkedIn groups
        • MENA Alumni Board
        • US Alumni Board
      • Alumni Ambassadors
      • Special Interest Groups
      • Alumni News and stories
    • Contact us
    • Support City
      • Donate to City
      • Volunteering
      • Your impact
  • News and events
    • News
    • Events
    • Social media directory
      • City social accounts
        • WeChat social accounts
      • School and Departmental accounts
  • About us
    • Schools and Departments
      • School of Policy & Global Affairs
        • About the School
          • Athena Swan
        • Department of Economics
        • Department of International Politics
        • Department of Sociology and Criminology
          • Postgraduate Sociology at City
      • School of Communication & Creativity
        • About the School
          • Athena Swan
          • Creatives in Residence
        • Department of Journalism
          • James Cameron Memorial Lecture
            • Lectures
            • Special awards
            • Winners
        • Department of Media, Culture and Creative Industries
          • English, Publishing and Creative Writing
          • Culture and the Creative Industries
          • Library and Information Science
          • Media and Communications
        • Department of Performing Arts
        • The Centre for Language Studies
      • Bayes Business School
      • School of Health & Psychological Sciences
        • About the School
          • Athena SWAN
          • Selection Process
          • Occupational Health Checks
          • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced check (formerly CRB)
          • MSc Nursing - RPL
          • Reference request
        • Department of Health Services Research and Management
          • Health Services Management at City
        • Department of Language and Communication Science
        • Department of Midwifery and Radiography
          • Radiography undergraduate learning contract
          • Postgraduate Midwifery at City
          • Radiography at City
        • Department of Nursing
        • Department of Optometry and Visual Sciences
        • Department of Psychology
      • School of Science & Technology
        • About the School
          • Athena Swan
          • Placements and internships
            • Placement and internship schemes
        • Department of Computer Science
        • Department of Mathematics
          • Potential PhD projects
        • Department of Engineering
      • The City Law School
        • Academic programmes
          • Undergraduate degree LLB
          • Graduate Entry Law GE LLB
          • Graduate Diploma in Law GDL
          • Master of Laws (LLM)
        • Professional programmes
        • Research and Scholarship
        • Athena Swan in The City Law School
        • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at The City Law School
        • Barrister training
          • Bar Training
          • Pupillage Advisory Service
        • Solicitor training
          • Future Solicitor Advisory Service (FSAS)
          • The Solicitors' Qualifying Exam (SQE)
        • Law in real life (Law IRL)
          • Legal work placements
          • Court visits
          • Mock Trials
        • About The School
          • Prizes from The City Law School
          • Global Engagement
      • Dubai Centre
    • History
    • People
      • Academics
      • Research students
      • Students
      • Honorary graduates
      • Past students
      • Professional Services staff
      • International agents and representatives
      • Senior people
      • Extraordinary women
    • Facilities
      • Campuses
      • Libraries
      • Gym
      • University of London facilities
      • Specialist facilities
    • Work for us
      • Apply
      • Benefits
      • Career development
    • Vision and Strategy
      • Academic excellence
        • Rankings
        • Education
          • Flexible learning spaces
          • Active and collaborative learning
          • Term dates
        • Student statistics
      • Equality, diversity and inclusion
        • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
        • Data and objectives
        • Staff networks
        • Digital Accessibility
      • Sustainable development
        • Get involved
        • Environmental Impact and Performance
      • Civic engagement
      • Social responsibility
        • Social responsibility in our outreach
        • Social responsibility in action
    • Governance and legal
      • Charter and Statutes
      • Rector
      • Council
        • Audit and Risk Committee
        • Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee
        • Remuneration Committee
        • Strategy and Finance Committee
        • Development Committee
      • Senate
        • Board of Studies
        • Collaborative Provision Committee
        • Educational Quality Committee
        • Research and Enterprise Committee
        • Senate Research Ethics Committee
      • Executive leadership
      • Financial statements
        • Financial Summary
      • Legal documents and policies
      • Committees
    • Global City
    • Contact us and find us
      • Find us
      • Contact us
      • Staff directory
  • Student Hub
  • Staff Hub
  • Prospective students
    Prospective students
    • Courses
      • Undergraduate degrees
      • Apprenticeships
      • Foundation courses
      • Postgraduate taught degrees
      • Postgraduate research degrees
      • Short courses
      • Professional development courses
      • City Health courses
    • Apply
      • Entry requirements
      • How to apply
      • Prospectus
      • Visas
      • Study abroad programmes
      • Clearing
      • Alternative entry routes
      • Contact Admissions
    • Finance
      • Funding options
      • Earn while you learn
      • How to pay
      • Additional expenses
    • Accommodation and housing
      • Compare residential halls
      • Applying for halls
      • Paying for halls
      • Private accommodation
      • Short-term accommodation
    • Open events and fairs
      • Campus tours
      • Online chats
      • University fairs
    • Student life
      • London experience
      • Local area
      • Sports
      • Social activities and groups
      • Religion
      • Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer plus
      • Volunteering
      • Student wellbeing
      • Learn another language
    • Career development
      • Placements, internships and employment opportunities
      • Career pathways
      • Job prospects and graduate destinations
      • Careers team
    • Subjects
  • Research
    Research
    • Research centres and groups
    • Research impact
      • Research Excellence Framework
      • Research case studies
    • Research strategy
    • Research support
      • Grants and funding
      • Integrity and ethics
      • Research data
      • Researcher development
    • City Doctoral College
      • Prospective Doctoral Researchers
      • Current Doctoral Researchers
      • Doctoral Training Resources
      • Scholarships and Funding
      • For Research Supervisors
      • Meet the Team
  • For businesses
    For businesses
    • Start your business
      • Develop your startup idea
      • Launch your startup
    • Grow your business
      • Fund your business
      • Hire an academic consultant
      • Purchase our intellectual property
      • Companies formed
    • Develop your people
      • Bespoke training
      • My Home Life England
      • Degree apprenticeships for business
    • Business impact case studies
    • Access our student talent
      • Recruit with us
      • Meet and support our students
      • Information for placement partners
  • Alumni and supporters
    Alumni and supporters
    • Alumni benefits
    • Alumni Events
    • Global alumni network
      • Networks and Groups
      • Alumni Ambassadors
      • Special Interest Groups
      • Alumni News and stories
    • Contact us
    • Support City
      • Donate to City
      • Volunteering
      • Your impact
  • News and events
    News and events
    • News
    • Events
    • Social media directory
      • City social accounts
      • School and Departmental accounts
  • About us
    About us
    • Schools and Departments
      • School of Policy & Global Affairs
      • School of Communication & Creativity
      • Bayes Business School
      • School of Health & Psychological Sciences
      • School of Science & Technology
      • The City Law School
      • Dubai Centre
    • History
    • People
      • Academics
      • Research students
      • Students
      • Honorary graduates
      • Past students
      • Professional Services staff
      • International agents and representatives
      • Senior people
      • Extraordinary women
    • Facilities
      • Campuses
      • Libraries
      • Gym
      • University of London facilities
      • Specialist facilities
    • Work for us
      • Apply
      • Benefits
      • Career development
    • Vision and Strategy
      • Academic excellence
      • Equality, diversity and inclusion
      • Sustainable development
      • Civic engagement
      • Social responsibility
    • Governance and legal
      • Charter and Statutes
      • Rector
      • Council
      • Senate
      • Executive leadership
      • Financial statements
      • Legal documents and policies
      • Committees
    • Global City
    • Contact us and find us
      • Find us
      • Contact us
      • Staff directory
  1. Home
  2. …
  3. Governance and legal
  4. Committees
  5. The Department of Computer Science Research Ethics Committee
Governance and legal
  • Charter and Statutes
  • Rector
  • Council
    • Audit and Risk Committee
    • Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee
    • Remuneration Committee
    • Strategy and Finance Committee
    • Development Committee
  • Senate
    • Board of Studies
    • Collaborative Provision Committee
    • Educational Quality Committee
    • Research and Enterprise Committee
    • Senate Research Ethics Committee
  • Executive leadership
  • Financial statements
    • Financial Summary
  • Legal documents and policies
  • Committees

Research Ethics - Department of Computer Science

Learn about the research ethics in the Department of Computer Science at City, University of London.

Please note, this guidance only holds information relevant to research ethics in the Departments of Computer Science and Library & Information Science. For all other information about research ethics at City, including information about how to apply, participant information sheets, consent form templates, and general guidance please see City's guidance on research ethics.

All research projects in the Department of Computer Science (CS) or the Department of Library and Information Science (LIS) that involve human participation must undergo formal ethical review. This includes research undertaken by staff and students in their capacity as members of City, University of London, irrespective of whether the research is funded and or the source of any funding.

It includes research undertaken as part of taught undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes and projects undertaken by research students. It also applies to research carried out in CS and LIS by persons visiting the Department (e.g. visiting staff, visiting researchers etc.).

‘Human participation’ covers direct data collection from people. This can result from many different methods, including surveys, interviews, observation, video, photography and physiological measurement. It also includes using personal identifiable data from individual records such as case notes and large data sets from which individuals may be identified.

Secondary analysis of anonymised data that is published or otherwise disseminated does not require ethical approval.

Analysis of routinely collected anonymised data that does not contain personal information and through which individuals cannot be identified does not need approval either, as long as permission has been given by the data owner. Literature reviews or reviews of published or otherwise disseminated material do not require ethical approval.

The Computer Science and Library and Information Science Research Ethics Committee (CSREC) handles ethical review of low and medium risk research activity for both departments. Approval for high-risk projects must be sought from either the University’s Senate REC or an appropriate external ethics committee.

The CSREC handles low risk research by a proportionate review process. Medium risk research is handled by a full application to the CSREC.

Approval must be obtained before the research can commence - it cannot be granted retrospectively.

Submissions to the Research Ethics Committee

The Committee accepts submissions at any time and has a target of 3 weeks for an initial response to applications made through proportionate review and 4 weeks for full applications.

Applicants should plan for this when making their submission. This target may not be achievable during holiday periods or busy times of year. Note that this is not the time for final approval as re-submission may be required during the review process if CSREC requires modifications to the proposed research.

We are happy to discuss research proposals or the CSREC approval process prior to submission - use the CSREC email address.

Terms of Reference

The CSREC has delegated power of authority from the Senate Research Ethics Committee (SREC).

Its terms of reference align with the delegated authority conferred by SREC and are:

  1. To consider the ethical implications of research carried out in the Departments of Computer Science and Library and Information Science. Specifically, to consider research involving human participants, research involving identifiable personal data and research that may entail risk to the researcher.
  2. To review and approve low-risk research ethics applications through a proportionate process of peer review.
  3. To review and approve other research ethics applications that are deemed to lie within the remit of the CSREC through full application to the CSREC.
  4. The CSREC is not responsible for considering the ethics of research that falls within the categories considered to be of “potential higher risk” by the SREC Framework for Delegated Authority. This includes, but is not limited to: research that falls under the auspices of the NHS Research Ethics Service; research that involves participants who fall under the auspices of the Mental Capacity Act; research that involves participants who fall under the auspices of the Criminal Justice System; research involving animals, obscene or illegal material, sensitive subjects, intrusive procedures, the administration of drugs or other substances, participants who are unable to provide informed consent, the researcher travelling to countries where there is an active travel warning from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
  5. To consider and approve amendments to research that has been previously approved by the CSREC.
  6. To make available access to the application system, templates, guidelines and background documentation to staff and students in the departments.
  7. To advise staff and students in the departments on research ethics and the process for obtaining ethical approval for research.
  8. To report to the Senate REC on the activities of the CSREC as required. Minutes of all decisions and any meetings will be submitted to SREC.
  9. To review the committee's policy every two years and review the terms of reference at the first meeting of each academic year.

Composition of the research ethics committee

The CSREC consists of a Chair, a member of academic staff from each research centre in the Department of Computer Science, a member of academic staff from the Department of Library and Information Science, at least one research student from the Departments and two external members.

Appointment to CSREC is made by the Head of Department and will normally be for a period of two years and rarely for more than three years. One member of CSREC is designated as responsible for handling the proportionate review process for staff and research students; this responsibility rotates on a yearly basis.

The Chair of the CSREC is responsible for coordinating applications made to CSREC in line with CSREC policies and procedures, for maintaining records of the work of the CSREC, for reporting to the Board of Studies and the Senate REC. The Deputy Chair takes on such responsibilities in the Chair’s absence or where a conflict of interested is deemed to occur.

The Chair and Deputy Chair are responsible for knowledge transfer as the committee develops expertise and a case history.

Committee membership

Effective from March 2023:

  • Andrew Macfarlane (Chair)
  • Asif Nawaz (Committee Secretary) - EA School Science & Technology
  • Tillman Weyde - Computer Science
  • Daniel Chicharro - Computer Science
  • Sara Heitlinger - Computer Science
  • Giacomo Tarroni - Computer Science
  • Panos Giannopoulas - Computer Science
  • Martin Brain - Computer Science
  • Michael Garcia Ortiz - Computer Science
  • Annah Whyton - Research Governance

Composition of the committee is reviewed each year with a need to balance expertise, continuity, the need for new perspectives and workload.

Contact details

  • Chair CSREC

    +44 (0)20 7040 8906

    [email protected]

Help us to improve this page

City, University of London

The University of business, practice and the professions

  • Library Services
  • Moodle
  • Email
  • Staff directory
  • Term dates
  • Book a room
  • Schools and departments

Back to top

Contact us

Make an enquiry

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • TikTok
  • Weibo
  • WeChat
Social media directory

Find us

City, University of London
Northampton Square
London EC1V 0HB
United Kingdom

Campus map

Our global campuses

  • London
  • Dubai

Awards and accreditations

  • Athena SWAN: Bronze Award
  • Stonewall: LGBTQ+ Inclusive employer - Silver Award 2023 logo
  • UKRI Research England logo

Useful links

  • Accessibility
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies
  • City Store
  • Support City
  • Work for City
  • City Magazine
  • 中文

© 2023 City, University of London

University of London