1. Risk: the UREC’s Perspective
University Research Ethics Committee (UREC)
Risk: the UREC’s Perspective
Professor Richard Jenkins Chair of UREC

2. Ethics Policy – key points
Risk aware, not risk averse:
Reflection (not box-ticking)
Recognition
Control and containment
Preparation
Responsible management
*Participants should not be exposed to disproportionate levels of risk*
30/12/2018
© The University of Sheffield / Department of Marketing and Communications

3. Potentially high risk research: 1
Potentially particularly vulnerable participants:
Those who lack competence to consent (children, adults lacking mental capacity)
Those without free choice (prisoners, school pupils, employees)
Those who may be influenced by other issues (poor health, promise of cure, benefit)
30/12/2018
© The University of Sheffield / Department of Marketing and Communications

4. Potentially high risk research: 2
Potentially highly sensitive topics:
Race/ethnicity, sexuality, religion
Political opinion
Physical/mental health conditions
Abuse (child, adult)
Nudity and the body
Criminal activities
Conflict situations/personal violence
Political asylum
30/12/2018
© The University of Sheffield / Department of Marketing and Communications

5. Potentially high risk research: 3
The nature of the research matters: e.g. intervention in lives of participants e.g. covert research/deception e.g. working with different cultures
30/12/2018
© The University of Sheffield / Department of Marketing and Communications

6. Departmental definition of risk?
(UREC to endorse)
30/12/2018
© The University of Sheffield / Department of Marketing and Communications

7. For further guidance…
30/12/2018
© The University of Sheffield / Department of Marketing and Communications