Research Ethics

Overview

York University is committed to the highest standards of integrity in research. All projects involving the use of human participants, animals and biological agents/biohazardous materials conducted by faculty, staff or students, regardless of where the research is conducted, is subject to review and approval by the relevant ethics committee and/or its delegate ethics review committee in accordance with relevant guidelines, policies and regulations. 

Does your research need ethics approval? 

It is the policy of the University that researchers conducting research involving human participants, animals and/or biological agents/biohazardous material must obtain approval of their research from the relevant ethics committee prior to commencing research activities. Access to research funds will not be granted until the appropriate approvals are in place.

NOTE: Ethics approval is required regardless of whether the research is funded or not (this includes pilot and/or preliminary research)

York University has four university-wide ethics review committees – the Human Participants Review Committee (HPRC), Indigenous Research Ethics Board (IREB), Animal Care Committee (ACC), and the Biological Safety Committee (BSC).  The committees are charged with the responsibility for conducting independent, multi-disciplinary review and approval of all research proposals involving humans, animals or biological agents/biohazardous materials. They are subcommittees of the relevant Senate research committee (APPRC) and report for information purposes to York University Senate through APPRC.

All research involving humans, animals and/or biological agents/biohazardous materials conducted by faculty, staff or students, regardless of where the research is conducted, is subject to review and approval by the relevant ethics committee and /or its delegate ethics review committee in accordance with relevant guidelines, policies and regulations. It is the policy of the University that researchers conducting research involving human subjects, animals and/or biohazardous agents must obtain approval of their research from the relevant ethics committee prior to commencing research activities.

Further information on the review processes for each of the four committees may be found below.

What’s On This Page

• Does your research need ethics approval?
• Responsible Conduct of Research
• Meet the Team
• Contact ORE

Responsible Conduct of Research

York University is committed to providing an environment that supports and promotes the Responsible Conduct of Research. The University affirms that all members have the obligation to maintain the highest standards of conduct in research.

Operationally, the Director, Research Ethics and Integrity, provides oversight, management and implementation of Senate Ethics policies as they relate to research involving humans, animals and/ or biological agents/biohazardous materials. ORE facilitates compliance with all relevant ethics regulations within the university research context.

We are committed to providing an environment that supports and promotes the Responsible Conduct of Research. The University affirms that all members have the obligation to maintain the highest standards of conduct in research.

Read more about Responsible Conduct of Research