Research Ethics - Expedited Ethical Review

University Research Ethics Committee has recently implemented an approach whereby approval of ethical parameters for proposed research is undertaken via panel review (a schedule of deadline dates and panel dates is published here). Nevertheless, it is understood that the numerous forms of research conducted by staff and students at UEL, in a variety of disciplines and environments, may be subject to external drivers which may create a greater urgency for institutional approval for the proposed research to be agreed.

UREC acknowledges that the competitive market context of much of our research, frequently involving partners in both the public and private sector and subject to time sensitive funding obligations, means that expedited review of ethical parameters may be necessary.

As such, UREC will accept requests for expedited review that are accompanied by a suitable and sufficient justification detailing the factors that make this necessary with corresponding evidence. Those seeking agreement for expedited review should note that process requires additional time and resources for processing. Thus, where there are no external drivers present, those responsible for the proposed research should ensure that applications are submitted in good time along the standard approval channel.

Some examples of factors which UREC accept may warrant expedited review are listed below:

the need to coordinate data gathering with researchers or organisations external to UEL;
an unforeseen or unpredicted change in the accessibility of the participant group;
additional demands or deadline requirements of funding organisations;
the need to complete the study within a accelerated time frame;
contractual requirements;
the proposed research is critical to UEL’s strategic vision.

Due to the additional resource requirements for processing applications for ethical approval expeditiously, UREC may not accept the request where these factors are not clearly evident. As indicated in the The Research Ethics Guidebook:

‘Just having left it late, or not realising that you had to get ethics approval,may only very reluctantly be accepted as justifications for expedited review - and you run the risk that these reasons will not be accepted at all.’

Please note, expedited review is not a 'light touch' process. Your application will be subjected to the same degree of scrutiny as it would under normal circumstances.

If you intend to request an expedited ethical review of the proposed research, please complete form ETH/EXP (below) and attach this to the completed principle UREC application form: