Help protect research participants - #StepForward for ethical research
You can help make sure health and social care research is ethical and fair by becoming part of a Research Ethics Committee (REC).
This is your opportunity to gain new skills and have your say on research applications for some of the biggest challenges we face today. From cancer and dementia studies to COVID-19, committee members help protect those taking part in research.
To become a member, you don’t need to work in health or social care, you just need a passion for research and a desire to contribute to improving the lives of people living in Wales and beyond.
Lara-Susan James, a member of a Research Ethics Committee in Wales, said: “I decided to apply to join an ethics committee after becoming involved and interested in research as a nurse. Being a REC member allows me to continue to use my knowledge to advocate and help patients and the public even when I’m not directly working with them.
“Being involved, I have gained a better understanding about the research process and found real value in the rich diversity of the different points of view other members of the committee have contributed.”
Anyone can apply but we’d particularly like to hear from professionals such as solicitors, vicars, barristers, coroners, own-business directors, police and teachers.
What does it involve?
Members will be asked to:
- attend REC meetings monthly virtually via Zoom. Members attend a minimum of six meetings a year. Meetings last about three hours and require three to four hours of reading in preparation.
- take part in sub-committee work through email. This involves reviewing applications with no ethical issues or reviewing amendments to approved research. Sub-committee work is in addition to REC meetings. Members usually get involved in this approximately two to three times a year with two hours reading for each subcommittee meeting.
- review research applications and amendments electronically through our members’ portal or email.
- take part in induction training within your first six months of appointment, equality, diversity and human rights training within your first year of appointment and then complete a minimum of four hours training related to research ethics for each year as a REC member.
What you’ll gain
Being a REC member gives you lots of skills which can help in your career. These include:
- an understanding of research ethics
- an increased knowledge in research including methodology and statistics
- an understanding of relevant legislation
- specialised knowledge, for example paediatric research or adults lacking capacity to give consent
- enhanced committee skills: summarising, debating, evaluating and decision making
How to get involved
If you would like to become part of a REC, request an application form. When completing your application, please refer to the person specification.
To submit your application, or if you have any questions, contact Health and Care Research Wales’ REC support team.
You can also find out more information for potential members, including equal opportunities, and recruitment policy and procedure, on the Health Research Authority website.