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
      • 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
          • Modern Languages Short Courses
      • 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
        • Mental health counselling
        • 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
    • Doctoral College
      • Funding and scholarships
      • Essential information
      • Meet the Team
      • Training and Development
        • Researcher Development Programme (DRDP)
      • Research Supervisors
  • 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
    • 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
      • Alumni Events
    • Contact Alumni Relations
    • 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
          • Aviation Management at City
          • Civil Engineering at City
          • Computer Science at City
          • Cyber Security MSc courses at City
          • Energy MSc courses at City
          • Library and Information Science at City
          • Maritime Management at City
          • 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 Scholarships
        • Athena Swan in The City Law School
        • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at The City Law School
        • Barrister training
          • Bar Training
          • Pupillage Advice Service
        • Solicitor training
          • Future Solicitors Careers Advice Service (FSCAS)
          • 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
    • Guidance on Coronavirus
      • Admissions advice during coronavirus
        • Coronavirus accommodation information
      • Latest updates
      • Advice for visitors to our campus
  • 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
    • Doctoral College
      • Funding and scholarships
      • Essential information
      • Meet the Team
      • Training and Development
      • Research Supervisors
  • 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
    • Global alumni network
      • Networks and Groups
      • Alumni Ambassadors
      • Special Interest Groups
      • Alumni News and stories
      • Alumni Events
    • Contact Alumni Relations
    • 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
    • Guidance on Coronavirus
      • Admissions advice during coronavirus
      • Latest updates
      • Advice for visitors to our campus
  1. Home
  2. …
  3. Governance and legal
  4. Legal documents and policies
  5. The Framework for Delegated Authority
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

The Framework for Delegated Authority

City expects its staff and students to seek to maintain the highest achievable standards in their research conduct and as part of this to consider the ethical implications of their research.

This Framework for Delegated Authority applies to all research undertaken by staff and students (undergraduate, taught postgraduate and research), and all research carried out in City, University of London, or under the auspices of City, University of London, with the exception that the authority to approve research involving animals is not delegated to School/Departmental committees but is required to be reviewed by Senate Research Ethics Committee (“SREC”) in accordance with the policy on animal research.

The Framework sets out the rules and regulations governing research involving human participants, materials and/or data not in the public domain under the auspice of City, University of London (“City” or “the institution”), and the requirements for approving research proposals by City’s Schools, Departments, Divisions and Centres under the Framework. (Henceforth references to Department(s) should be taken to include Division(s) and Centre(s).)

Following a review of existing procedures for addressing ethical issues in Schools/Departments, a system of delegated authority has been implemented across City, in order to develop a coherent and consistent approach. The system has been designed to take into account the varying concerns and needs of different Schools/Departments and the likelihood of harm to participants of the research carried out in the various subjects.

All Schools have delegated power of authority from SREC to review and approve research ethics applications and are expected to refer all research either to a committee within the School/Department (or to a committee within another School where appropriate) or to SREC for consideration.

City does not insist on Schools setting up local sub-committees of SREC where the volume of research is minimal, but policies and procedures to address research involving human participants, materials and/or data not in the public domain must be in place and agreed with SREC.

In Schools and Departments where local committees have been set up, these are required to follow City guidelines as well as nationally and internationally accepted practices.

The Framework for Delegated Authority has been developed to ensure that all research involving human participants undertaken by staff and students at City and under its auspices undergoes appropriate and proportional review.

City expects its staff and students to seek to maintain the highest achievable standards in their research conduct and as part of this to consider the ethical implications of their research.

City derives its ethics policy from ethical considerations identified by various recognised bodies, including the World Medical Association’s Declaration of Helsinki, the Economic and Social Research Council’s (ESRC) Framework for Research Ethics, the Health Research Authority (HRA) and other relevant institutions and professional bodies.

Principles of research ethics

In addition to the scientific rigour of a project and the conduct of the researcher(s), projects should be ethical and in particular safeguard any participants and/or their data, and the researcher(s)

. Ethical issues are many and varied and may be quite complex. It is recognised that there are differences between disciplines, but all research should be guided by the principle that the risk of harm to the participants should be minimised, and as far as possible the benefit to the participants and/or society should be maximised.

City subscribes to the six key principles identified in ESRC’s Framework for Research Ethics:

  • Research should aim to maximise benefit for individuals and society and minimise risk and harm.
  • The rights and dignity of individuals and groups should be respected.
  • Wherever possible, participation should be voluntary and appropriately informed.
  • Research should be conducted with integrity and transparency.
  • Lines of responsibility and accountability should be clearly defined.
  • Independence of research should be maintained and where conflicts of interest cannot be avoided they should be made explicit.

It should be noted that while research ethics committees are not normally charged with reviewing the design and methodology of research projects, they must sometimes consider elements of these in order to assess the risks and benefits of a project.

If a study design does not adequately attain the stated aim of the investigation, then no benefit can be anticipated from conducting the study, and there is therefore no justification for inconveniencing people or potentially placing them at risk.

Research requiring external approval

Research involving NHS patients, research which falls under the Human Tissue Act, and research that involves participants who fall under the Mental Capacity Act must be reviewed and approved by an authorised HRA committee.

Such projects will not require internal review, but a copy of the approval letter should be forwarded to the appropriate person(s) in the Department/School.

Further details on what needs ethical approval by an HRA committee is available on their website. Research involving prisoners, those on probation, the police and the courts system will need approval from the Ministry of Justice, the National Offender Management Service, the Courts, the Police and Prison Governors as appropriate.

Researchers should familiarise themselves with the appropriate requirements. The Offender Health Research Network is a good starting point.

Aims of this framework

This framework sets out the formal agreement between SREC and each of the School/Department committees on:

  1. The code of research ethics principles that the School/Department committee uses for guidance (e.g. the ESRC Framework for Research Ethics, British Psychological Society Code etc.). This would cover such matters as the standard governing informed consent and the procedures for obtaining and documenting it
  2. The procedures for scrutinising research ethics
  3. The type of projects for which responsibility is delegated
  4. The type of projects (and risks) for which referral to SREC is required
  5. The minimum requirements for information sheets and consent forms
  6. The formal and systematic reporting to SREC of all ethical decisions taken by delegated authority.

Senate Research Ethics Committee

SREC is ultimately responsible for research ethics across City and for overseeing adherence by local committees in Schools and Departments to the policies and procedures set out in this document. SREC reports directly to Senate.

SREC operates, with authority granted by Senate, to grant ethical clearance for research projects conducted by staff and students that require such consideration under the following terms of reference.

Terms of reference

  1. To consider the ethical implications of all research, experiments, investigations and procedures involving human participants, or animal subjects carried out in the institution or under the auspices of City
  2. To consider the ethical implications arising from research projects collecting, using and/or storing personal data carried out in the institution or under the auspices of City
  3. In connection with the above, to approve statements of practice for routine and emergency clinical procedures and other research, experiments, investigations and procedures routinely undertaken by appropriate departments of City
  4. To set standards, propose and review policy on the ethical conduct of research throughout City
  5. To approve School/Departmental delegation frameworks and procedures relating to research ethics
  6. To receive from individual members of academic staff, students, local Research Ethics Committees, Boards of Studies, or committees of Senate, proposals for all other research, experiments, investigations and procedures falling within its terms of reference and to allow, refer back or disallow such proposals, specifying where necessary any conditions subject to which proposals may be allowed
  7. To receive and advise on research proposals for the use of the name of the institution in connection with all aspects of research involving human participants, personal data or animal
  8. In carrying out its responsibilities, to seek and take account of all necessary advice from sources within and without City
  9. To report to Senate at least once annually on the research, experiments, investigations and procedures which have been allowed by the Committee through the Chair of the Committee
  10. To receive minutes and reports from Departmental/School Research Ethics Committees and to carry out spot checks on the effectiveness of procedures and standards adopted by the local committees
  11. To approve requests from external researchers wishing to recruit staff and students from City for participation in research projects
  12. To submit a copy of the minutes of each meeting to Academic Governance Committee.

School/Department Research Ethics Committees

All research involving human participants, materials and/or data not in the public domain requires ethical consideration. Even if the research is low risk, issues such as data protection, confidentiality and anonymity need to be considered.

It is recognised that, as a result of differing disciplinary practices, the nature of scrutiny required for projects varies between areas of the institution. SREC recommends that these expectations are clarified in policies so that researchers, in particular student researchers, wishing to engage research participants in another area can adapt to them and not waste time on applications that are later refused by the other School/Department.

Groups which are likely to be at risk of over-research can also be made known both within the School concerned and to other areas of City in order that projects involving these groups are not put forward for review and later rejected by another School/Department.

Ethical review must take place before any research involving human participants or identifiable personal data is undertaken. City’s indemnity insurance will not cover research without approval.

Failure to obtain approval at the appropriate time may result in disciplinary procedures being instigated. It may also lead to a breach of funding conditions and/or to publication of the research findings being prevented.

The level of review should be proportionate to the level of risk to the participants/researcher(s). For instance, a survey which is not collecting any personal details and is not asking intrusive or sensitive questions can be signed off by a supervisor or Head of Department where this is the documented procedure. Issues which need to be considered in all projects involving human participants or identifiable personal data include:

  • Anonymity
  • Confidentiality
  • Informed consent
  • Safety of the participant
  • Safety of the researcher(s)
  • Data protection
  • Transportation of data
  • Storage of data (where and how long)
  • Destruction of data
  • Re-use of personal data
  • Complaints procedures
  • In the case of international research, local legislation and requirements

For potential higher risk research (see examples below) a more rigorous review is required. The procedural requirements for Schools and Departments with potential higher risk research are outlined below.

The procedures for reviewing lower level risk projects are outlined in the agreements between SREC and School/Department committees.

Examples of potential higher risk projects

  • A study that involves participants who are vulnerable (including children), unable to give informed consent or are in a dependent position (e.g. those in care homes, students, employees, colleagues)
  • A study that involves participants taking part without their consent or knowledge at the time or a study involving deception
  • A research topic that is highly sensitive and might lead to disclosures from the participant concerning their own involvement in illegal activities or other activities that represent a risk to themselves or others
  • A study which could induce psychological stress, produce humiliation or cause harm beyond the risks encountered in normal life
  • A study that involves drugs, placebos or other substances to be administered to the participants or involves invasive, intrusive or potentially harmful procedures
  • A study that carries a risk of harm (physical, mental or otherwise) to the researcher(s).

Retrospective approval

Retrospective approval of research protocols cannot be given.

School/Department committees are responsible for:

  • Ensuring that there are effective mechanisms to bring any policy, guidelines or procedures determined with or through SREC or a School/Department committee to the attention of staff and students. These mechanisms need to make clear that it is an institutional requirement that the policies, guidelines and procedures are followed
  • Keeping ethical issues in research under review
  • Managing and monitoring the procedures in practice
  • Ensuring that appropriate records of applications, practices and decisions are made and kept
  • Reporting on an annual basis, using the template provided to all School/Department committees, to Senate Research Ethics Committee, including the title of projects considered, applicant/project owner, category (e.g. staff, undergraduate, taught postgraduate and research students), abstract (this includes externally approved protocols indemnified by City, e.g. HRA-approved research), types of risks or issues that have been considered over the reporting period
  • To submit a copy of the minutes of each meeting to Senate Research Ethics Committee
  • Conducting a two-yearly review of ethical procedures and policy and reporting on this to Senate Research Ethics Committee
  • Keeping a record of approvals where the committee has signed off the sponsorship form for research involving human participants which is subject to approval by an external body and where City is the sponsor of the research and also indemnifies the researcher.

Constitution and membership

It is recommended that all research ethics committees should include representation from experts, non-experts and, where possible, an independent/lay member (someone from outside the School/Department or external to City). Student participation is also expected.

To help ensure consistency and to ensure that issues are brought to the attention of SREC, it is recommended that the Secretary to SREC should be appointed as an ex-officio member to each of the School/Department committees, allowing for the Secretary to attend from time to time.

Terms of reference under which research ethics committees should operate

  1. To consider research proposals from both staff and students of the School/Department involving human participants, human material and data
  2. To give written approval for such proposals in the form of minutes or to provide written information on why approval has not been given
  3. To keep a record of all applications, deliberations and decisions
  4. To consider revised submissions
  5. To consider amendments, modifications and extensions to approved research protocols
  6. To refer to SREC cases which cannot be satisfactorily resolved or about which there is uncertainty
  7. To operate procedures no less rigorous than those suggested or required by the institution and relevant professional bodies.

Requirements for modifying an approved application

Applicants will need to notify the approving body of any changes to the research project which may raise new ethical implications or issues and in some cases apply for approval of a modification to the research. Applicants will need to notify the approving body if any of the following apply:

  • Adding a new category of participants
  • Adding a new/changing research method
  • Asking for additional data from the existing participants
  • Change of researchers involved in the project
  • An extension of approval (approval is valid for three years; applicants can then seek extensions for one year at a time).

Adverse events/ incidents and/or breach of protocol/ confidentiality

At the time of formally approving research protocols, committees should notify the researcher(s) that they are required to inform the approving committee and the Secretary to Senate Research Ethics Committee of any adverse events/incidents and/or breach of protocol/confidentiality as soon as possible and no later than 5 days after the event.

Safeguarding issues relating to children and vulnerable participants must be reported immediately, as must any untoward incidents that affect the personal safety of a participant or researcher. Safeguarding issues relating to children also needs to be reported to City’s safe guarding officer.

The correct reporting form should be used.

This does not absolve the researcher from reporting the event to other institutions where required, such as the Police or Social Services.

Appeals

City has a documented formal appeals process, but the School/Department should as far as possible deal with any issues arising from refusal of approval through informal negotiation and agreement between the researcher and the committee responsible for reviewing the application.

City defines an appeal in this regard as a request from an applicant for a review of a decision, in relation to significant amendments requested to or rejection of a research ethics application by the relevant committee.

The School/Department REC must inform the applicant in writing of the reason(s) for requesting significant amendments to or the rejection of the research ethics application.

The applicant should then be given the opportunity to respond to the committee’s comments, or be allowed to resubmit a revised application.

It is recommended that a meeting between the Chair of the committee, one or two members of the committee, the researcher and the Secretary to the committee is arranged to discuss the protocol in order to resolve the issues.

Only in cases where agreement cannot be reached between the researcher and the School/Department REC should the appeal be taken forward to SREC under the formal institutional process.

Recruiting students/staff at City as research participants

Recruiting where approval has been obtained externally or external researchers wishing to recruit City staff and/or students

If a study has been given approval from another REC, for example another institution or an NHS REC, or the researcher is external to City and wishes to recruit participants (staff and/or students) from City, the applicant would not normally need to go through the full review process within City but should follow the guidelines for external researchers which also apply to City staff/students who have obtained external approval.

Permission from the relevant Dean(s) of School(s) and/or Head(s) of Department(s) and the Chair of SREC must be obtained before the recruitment of staff and/or students can begin.

Recruiting staff and/or students for internally approved projects

Permission from the relevant Dean(s) of School(s) and/or Head(s) of Department(s) must be obtained before the recruitment of staff and/or students can begin.

Help us to improve this page

City, University of London

  • 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
  • Weibo
  • Youku
  • WeChat
Social media directory

Find us

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

Campus map

Our global campuses

  • London
  • Dubai
  • Athena SWAN: Bronze Award
  • 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