Ethics Committee
Terms of reference
The Ethics Committee serves to advise Council on ethical matters arising in the conduct of the University’s business. It is a Joint Committee of Senate and Council with the following terms of reference:
- To own the Ethical Policy Framework and to recommend to Council such modifications as from time to time are deemed necessary.
- To commission and oversee the review, modification and production of the Codes of Practice and guidance which form an integral part of the Ethical Policy Framework.
- To ensure adequate training is provided to maximise the effectiveness of the Ethical Policy Framework.
- To receive unresolved ethical issues relating to any area of the business of the University. Such issues may result either from challenges to existing activities or as part of the process of approval of planned activities.
- The Chair will ensure that the ethical issues raised in 4 are progressed in accordance with university strategy and are:
- a. resolved, wherever possible, by delegation to a responsible officer of the university, an individual member of the committee or, if necessary, to a sub-committee, or
- b. escalated to a full meeting of the committee for resolution, or,
- c. in cases deemed exceptional by the Chair, investigated under the guidance of the committee and passed to Senate (where the matter is under its remit) and then to Council for final resolution.
- To consider and approve the use of specific generic protocols for regular activities.
- As a matter of routine, to consider and approve, whenever possible, individual proposals for investigations on human participants under 5a.
- As a matter of routine, to consider and approve, whenever possible, individual proposals for investigations falling under the jurisdiction of the Human Tissues Authority under 5a.
- To provide minutes to Senate and Council to ensure appropriate scrutiny of its decisions.
- To meet at least once in each academic year.