Academic Ethics Compliance Committee

Terms of Reference
Membership
Meeting Dates
Research Ethics Committees

Terms of Reference

Committee Remit:

The University's Academic Ethics and Compliance Committee (AECC) is a sub-committee of Senate.

The AECC has oversight of the ethics policy and governance relating to academic activity, including but going beyond research ethics. The AECC also oversees research-related compliance issues such as clinical trials and sponsorship.

The AECC maintains oversight of the departmental/subject level ethics committees and provides a first point of referral for complex issues raised by the latter. It also considers ethical issues arising in relation to the activities of professional services.

Committee function:

These are the AECC agreed Terms of Reference:

To make decisions on ethical issues raised by local committees as appropriate or pass these on for further consideration where necessary (such as in the case of high risk research or risks to the university reputation), in line with an agreed framework of principles.
To receive, consider and approve annual reports from local committees and to ensure that matters raised are resolved.
To have oversight of training provision for staff in relation to ethics and research related compliance and in particular members of local committees.
To have oversight of the processes, operation and management of local committees and to review and audit as required, and to consider ethical issues that arise in relation to the activities of professional services.
To have ownership of the Code of Practice on Ethics and other related policies (such as clinical trials) and to recommend changes as required.
To receive, consider and approve reports from the Clinical Trials and Sponsorship Committee and to ensure that matters raised are resolved.
To report to Senate and to provide an annual report on ethical and compliance issues that have arisen to teaching (UTC), research (URC) and partnership (UPEC) committees as appropriate.
To undertake reviews where a breach of the Code of Practice on Ethics has been identified or concerns have been raised.
To commission reports and other work, such as guidance on strengthening and reviewing the ethical framework as required.

Reports to:

Senate, as a sub-committee of it, through:

an executive summary of the Minutes of each of its meetings, reported to the next scheduled meeting of Senate.
an annual report to the University Research Committee, alongside reports on relevant issues to University Teaching Committee and University Partnerships and Enterprise Committee.
ad hoc reports requiring or meriting escalation to the appropriate Pro-Vice-Chancellor as appropriate.

Approved by Senate June 2019

Membership

Committee membership

Dr Keith Allen, Philosophy (Chair)

Academic membership

Three members, one from each Faculty, currently on a subject level/departmental Ethics Committee, nominated by the Dean

Dr Will Brackenbury, Deputy Chair, Biology Ethics Committee

Dr Anna Bramwell-Dicks, Chair, TFTI Ethics Committee

Professor Bryony Beresford, Chair, SPSW Ethics Committee

Three members, one from each Faculty, with ethics experience, nominated by the Dean

Professor Gareth Gaskell, Psychology and Chair, YNiC Ethics Committee

Professor Jon Finch, Archaeology and Deputy Director, Humanities Research Centre

Dr Anna Einarsdottir, Management

No two academic members should be from the same department.

Lay members

Two members TBC

Student representation

One undergraduate and one postgraduate representative TBC

In attendance

Ms Jennifer Gilmartin Acting Director of Research and Enterprise and Head of Research Services and Associate Director (ex officio)

Ms Amanda Selvaratnam Head of Enterprise Services and Associate Director of Research and Enterprise (ex officio)

Mr Richard Fuller Assistant Director of IT (ex officio)

Dr Duncan Jackson Head of Academic Practice and PGCAP Programme Director (Academic Support Office)

Ms Jen Mayne Research Strategy and Policy Officer (Secretary)

Meeting Dates

Frequency of Meetings

Not less than four occasions each calendar year. Committee business may be considered by correspondence and in order to make written resolutions where there is an urgent need to do so.