University Research Ethics Committee (UREC)

The University Research Ethics Committee (UREC) is the overarching Committee at the University of Cambridge for the consideration of ethical issues arising from research that involves human participants and personal data. The Committee was established by the General Board in January 2009.

Terms of Reference

The Commitee shall:

1. devise a University policy for approval by the General Board for the consideration and approval of research projects involving human participants or personal data, including the establishment of specialist sub-committees, where appropriate, to cover specific area;
2. monitor the implementation of this policy, establish associated procedures, and recommend to the Board any changes that are considered necessary in the light of experience;
3. consider and decide on any application for approval of research involving human participation or personal data which is referred to the Committee by one of its sub-committees or by any other relevant body
4. establish, implement, and keep under review a procedure for considering appeals against decisions made by sub-committees to withhold, suspend or withdraw approval of a research project which it considers to contravene University policies or procedures on research involving human participants or personal data;
5. consider and advise on training provision for those involved in considering applications for research projects involving human participants or personal data and for those undertaking such research
6. receive and consider annual reports from local and School-level Research Ethics Committees;
7. report annually to the General Board on 1-6 above.
8. advise the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) on the development and implementation of policy and procedures related to research integrity

Current Membership

• Professor John Suckling (Chair)
• Mr Gavin Pettigrew
• Professor Caterina Ducati
• Professor David Erdos
• Dr Rob Goudie
• Professor Alan Blackwell
• Mrs Carolyn Read
• Professor Paul Bays
• Professor Ianthi Tsimpli
• Mrs Amanda Cutlan-Smyth - external member
• Vacant - external member
• Ms Nowsha Farha - Student representative
• Mr Chalo Waya– Student representative
• Dr Sinead Healy (Secretary)

Research Ethics Contact Points