Human ethics
The Human Research Ethics (HRE) team at UVic manages the review of research activity that involves human participants and human biological materials.
We provide:
- research ethics advice
- education
- up-to-date regulatory information
We also give presentations to classes and can offer guidance to you and your students.
Useful resources:
- new CORE 2022 requirement FAQ
- do I need human research ethics approval?
- how do I apply for human research ethics approval?
- human ethics resources
- Research Ethics BC harmonized review guidelines
- human research ethics FAQ
If you're not sure your project requires ethical approval, email us or call 250-472-4545 as soon as possible. Graduate students should note that failing to get research ethics approval could affect your ability to graduate.
Notices
New CORE 2022 requirement for UVic researchers
January 23, 2025
As of March 1, 2025, a new requirement applies to all UVic researchers working with human participants. UVic faculty, students (undergraduate and graduate), research personnel, and staff applying...
UVic Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
To log in to VPN (Virtual Private Network) and any other services that require VPN, such as the RAIS (Research Administration System), you must be enrolled in UVic Multi-Factor...
COVID-19
The following are COVID-specific guidelines to support in-person research with human participants, on campus and in the community.
Please review this information if you are planning to resume in-person research that has been halted or are planning to apply for a new study.
Policies
UVic is committed to supporting our researchers in their intellectual pursuits. We also recognize the need to protect the rights and interests of the public and individuals who take part in UVic research.
UVic policies and procedures that govern human-related research uphold the highest ethical standards. They act in accordance with Canada's tri-council policy statement on the ethical conduct for research involving humans (TCPS2).
UVic researchers must understand their responsibilities to UVic and the public. Familiarize yourself with the following before you start your research.
- Board of Governors (BOG) research policy (policy RH8100) - sets out the manner in which research is conducted, supported and communicated at UVic.
- BOG university regulations for research involving humans (policy RH8105) - delegates ethical review management and administration to the Office of Vice-President Research and the Human Research Ethics office. Procedures for conducting human research start on page 4. These procedures include detailed information about the administration of human research ethics at UVic.
- internal guidelines for quality assessment of services and programs - these guidelines apply to internal quality assurance, performance review or testing within UVic. Note that these are guidelines, not a policy.
Federal policies
- Federal research ethics policy - tri-council policy statement on the ethical conduct for research involving humans (TCPS2)
- Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on roles and responsibilities in the management of federal grants and awards
Human research ethics board
The Human Research Ethics Board (HREB) oversees UVic research activities that involve human participants or human biological materials. They ensure that these research activities meet the required ethical standards. This includes research taking place in academic courses.
UVic Human Research Ethics Board
| Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Sandra Gibbons (chair) | Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education |
| Cindy Holder (vice-chair) | Philosophy |
| Janice Achtem | Community member |
| Jaime Arredondo | Public Health and Social Policy |
| Sonya Bird | Linguistics |
| Alexandrine Boudreault-Fournier | Anthropology |
| Nickolas Cherwinski |
Community member |
| Heba Elgharbawy | Psychology (Graduate student) |
| Sean Farley | Chemistry (Graduate student) |
| Marilou Gagnon | Nursing |
| Gina Harrison | Education Psychology and Leadership Studies |
| Clare Jennings | Community member |
| Sarah Macoun | Psychology |
| Graham McDonough | Curriculum and Instruction |
| Anita Prest | Curriculum and Instruction |
| Timothy Richards | Law |
| Lynne Siemens | Public Administration |
| Jodi Streelasky | Curriculum and Instruction |
| Colette Smart | Psychology |
| Coby Tschanz | Nursing |
Need help?
If you have questions or if you are new to research, email us before you begin your study, or call us at 250-472-4545.
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