University Ethics Committee

The University Ethics Committee (UEC) is responsible to the Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee (RKEC), for the consideration of general ethical issues relating to the teaching and research of the University which involves investigations on human beings.

The UEC will consider studies submitted for ethical review and will strive to protect the rights, dignity, safety and well-being of all actual and potential participants.  The Committee will also provide impartial advice to participants and researchers.  The UEC meets on a monthly basis (usually the first Thursday of every month) to consider projects submitted for ethical review.

The Code of Practice on Investigations Involving Human Beings was published in February 2017 and provides information on which projects must be submitted to the UEC for consideration and which can be dealt with by Departmental and School Ethics Committees. The Code sets out the procedures to be followed when submitting a project for ethical review and the responsibilities of the various parties involved. The Code also contains information on the membership and the terms of reference of the UEC.

Submitting your ethics application

When submitting your application, please number the documents in your email (i.e. in the file name for each document, eg "1 Ethics App Form", "2 PIS", "3 Interview Questionnaire" etc) in the order you would like them packaged together for consideration by the UEC.

Standard ethics application form

Download the most recent application form.

Participant documentation

Participant information sheet, consent form and privacy notice templates.

Where should I submit my application?

Some studies require review by the UEC, whereas others can be reviewed by your Department or School Ethics Committee. Find out which projects need to be submitted to the UEC. 

UEC Meeting dates and deadlines

See the dates and submission deadlines for upcoming UEC meetings.

NHS applications

For investigations involving the NHS, ethical approval must be sought from the relevant NHS Research Ethics Committee. Visit the NHS ethics webpage for more information.

Generic Framework Agreement application form

Download the generic framework application form for approval of a series of related studies, such as specific teaching exercises that are used over several years or a number of investigations that adopt the same procedures. 

Guidance and training

Researcher Checklist

Researcher Checklist for Ethics Applications for Research involving Human Beings

About Ethical Review

Guidance on the types of research that require ethics approval, the ethical review process at Strathclyde and how to apply

Helpful hints

Top tips on completing your ethics application and getting ethical approval.

Application guidance

Guidance on completing the ethics application form

NHS Applications

Guidance on submitting an ethics application to an NHS Research Ethics Committee

Frequently asked questions

Read FAQs relating to ethics procedures.

Researchers' Guide to Ethics (PGR)

Training for Postgraduate Researchers on ethical considerations and completing the ethics form.

Informed Consent and Debrief

Guidance on obtaining informed participant consent and providing effective debrief.

Research Ethics Debrief

Guidance on why a debrief is important and some of the information you need to include.

Human data in the public domain

Guidance on the use of human data in the public domain, such as tweets.

Ethical Issues in Visual Research

Guidance on Ethical Issues in Visual Research (photographs, film and video)

Ethical Issues in Online Surveys

Guidance on ethical issues in participant information and consent for online surveys and questionnaires

Example Privacy Notice for Young Children

Example Privacy Notice for young children participants in research projects

Example Pictorial Participant Documentation

Examples of pictorial consent forms and participant information sheets

Best practice for lone workers and fieldwork in homes

Guidance on best practice when working alone or in participants' homes.

Participant Payments and Incentives

Guidance on Ethical Issues involving payments and incentives to participants

Research in the Workplace

Guidance on conducting research in your place of work.

Students as Research Participants

Key issues to consider in research design and applications for ethical approval for research projects involving students as participants.

Information for DEC/SEC Convenors

Conveners should contact the UEC Manager with any queries regarding applications or ethics processes. 

Applications for projects with external funding must be sent to the UEC Manager for sponsorship review. 

A DEC/SEC can apply to the UEC to request devolved responsibility for ethical approval for certain categories of investigations which would normally fall within the remit of the UEC (See Section B1 on page 11 of the Code) but where the DEC/SEC considers that it has the appropriate expertise to consider such investigations. If the UEC approves the devolvement application, the DEC/SEC must only approve investigations that clearly fall within the parameters detailed in the application form. Should the DEC/SEC have any doubt that an investigation does fall within these parameters or if the DEC/SEC is uncomfortable about granting ethical approval for any individual application then this should be referred to the UEC for consideration and approval. For more information, Conveners should contact the UEC Manager.

The DEC/SEC must keep records of the individual investigations that fall within the remit of the devolvement and that it grants ethical approval for. The DEC/SEC will be required to report on these records annually to the UEC as part of the DEC/SEC annual monitoring exercise.