Research Ethics BC

Research Ethics BC supports a province-wide, harmonized system for research ethics reviews of studies conducted in multiple geographic areas involving the resources, people, patients or data from more than one BC research institution. Our harmonized research ethics model, co-developed with BC health research partners, is now in use by all BC health authorities, most research universities, and many colleges.

History

 

Research Ethics BC was formerly known as the BC Ethics Harmonization Initiative (BCEHI) until 2018. BCEHI spearheaded the development and implementation of harmonized models to make the ethics review process more timely and effective, allowing researchers to submit a single ethics application regardless of the number of BC jurisdictions involved in a project. Research Ethics BC continues the work done by BCEHI.

Learn more: What is Research Ethics BC?

What we do

Researchers have a responsibility to ensure that the studies they conduct involving human subjects are respectful, just and compassionate.

 

Research Ethics BC works with a community of human research ethics boards in the province to streamline processes by providing a harmonized system for multijurisdictional studies, education and training, and resources to support capacity building.

Services for researchers:

  • Research ethics consultations
  • Access to the online provincial ethics application system (PREP platform)
  • Training and development on:
    • Clinical research ethics
    • Indigenous-, Nation- and community-based research ethics
    • Consent processes

Services for research ethics board administrators:

  • Support for institutional research ethics board development
  • Guidance documents and manuals
  • Communities of practice
  • The Research Ethics Board Administrators (REBA) network, events and conferences

Information for Researchers

British Columbia’s harmonized ethics review model is now in use by all BC health authorities, most research universities and many colleges. Information in this section supports researchers and research participants in understanding and implementing harmonized approaches to ethics review.

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Information for Research Ethics Board Administrators (REBAs)

Research Ethics BC offers a range of materials to support research ethics board administrators in understanding and implementing harmonized approaches to ethics review at their institutions.

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Advisory council

E. Sarah Bennett

Manager, Research Compliance and Ethics, Island Health

Eugenie Lam

Human Research Ethics Coordinator, University of Victoria

Jim Mann

Patient Partner/Dementia Advocate

Jude Kornelsen (Co-Chair)

Assistant Professor, Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia

Namaste Marsden (Co-Chair)

Daxgyet Director, Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs

Sara O’Shaughnessy

Research Ethics and Regulatory Specialist, Fraser Health

Asma-na-hi Antoine

Director for Indigenous Engagement, Royal Roads University

Julia Bickford

Regional Director for Research, Evaluation and Analytics, Northern Health

Gillian Corless

Senior Manager, Indigenous Partnerships, Michael Smith Health Research BC

Laurel Evans

Director of the Office of Research Ethics, University of British Columbia

Ron Klausing

Mandeep Manhas

Strategic Projects Manager (Research and Technology), Ministry of Health’s Strategy and Innovation Division

Jean Ruiz

Sr. Research Ethics Analyst (Behavioural), University of British Columbia, Office of Research Ethics

Anni Rychtera

Caron Strahlendorf

Head of the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT, BC Children’s Hospital and Clinical Professor, University of British Columbia

Chris Turner

Research Ethics Officer, Vancouver Island University

See our meeting minutes

Connect with us

Twitter: @BCEthics
LinkedIn: Research Ethics BC

Email: researchethicsbc@healthresearchbc.ca