Research Ethics Approval

Our Research Ethics Committee

The Humanities and Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee (HSS REC) reviews complex or high-risk ethics issues in research projects in the arts, humanities and social sciences or cognate areas.

The Committee sits virtually, considering applications on a case by case basis, and is governed by the University's policies on research integrity and research ethics.

The Committee attempts where possible to deliver a decision in seven working days. However, turnaround cannot be guaranteed and the process may take longer than this, particularly for difficult or complex cases. Also, revisions may be required by the Committee before approval can be given. 

Please ensure that you apply for ethics approval as early as possible, and no later than one month before the proposed start date.

This page provides details on the procedures for ethical review, and links to additional resources.

The key principles of ethical research are:

  • The emotional well-being, physical well-being, rights, dignity and personal values of research participants should be secured;
  • Research participants and contributors should be fully informed regarding the purpose, methods and end use of the research. They should be clear on what their participation involves and any risks that are associated with the process. These risks should be clearly articulated and if possible quantified;
  • Research participants must participate in a voluntary way, free from coercion. Participants have the right to withdraw at any time;
  • Research must be independent and any conflicts of interest or partiality must be explicit;
  • Normally information provided by the participants should be anonymous. At all times confidentiality must be assured.

Seeking ethics approval

Undergraduate or graduate students should consult their supervisor in the first instance for guidance on ethics issues arising through the planning of dissertation or graduate research projects.

Staff, or any other person conducting research on University premises, should seek advice from the local ethics committee or ethics contact in the Department in which the research will be carried out.

You may be asked to complete a form and to provide participant information sheets and consent form, in addition to details of your research proposal.

In most cases, ethics approval can be granted at the Department level. Applications must be presented to the relevant Department Ethics Committee in the first instance. Cases that are particularly complex or sensitive, or those presenting a conflict of interest, will be referred by the Department Ethics Committee to the HSS REC for formal review.

Application to the HSS Research Ethics Committee

Applicants with cases being referred to HSS REC will be asked to complete the Committee’s application form and provide details of their research proposal and participant information. Please note that applications should be submitted via your Departmental Administrator.

Further information

Further information about ethics in research at the University of Cambridge can be found on the University's Research Office website.

The HSS REC draws primarily on the ESRC Framework for Research Ethics, which can be sourced from the ESRC website.

Contacting the HSS Research Ethics Committee

The HSS REC Administrator can be contacted on HSSREC@admin.cam.ac.uk