Help make sure health and social care research is ethical and fair
Join a Research Ethics Committee (REC) to help protect research participants and develop new skills to support your career.
We are looking for health and social care professionals, particularly doctors, nurses and pharmacists, to help review research applications ensuring they are ethical and fair.
As a REC member, you can have your say on research looking at some of the biggest challenges we face today. From cancer and dementia studies to COVID-19, committee members contribute to improving the lives of people living in Wales and beyond.
Professor Delyth James, who has been a member of a Research Ethics Committee since 2018, said: “Being a member of a NHS Wales REC is one of the most professionally rewarding activities I am engaged with.
“I have learnt a great deal over the years, especially about the consent process and the importance of public and patient involvement in research. There is no doubt that my own practice as a researcher has benefitted as a result of being part of a REC.”
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.