Millie Adamson is a member of the Derby Research Ethics Committee (REC). She joined the REC in 2025 and is a senior clinical research associate and deputy regulatory affairs manager at a Contract Research Organisation called SCOPE International. Millie has a BSc in Neuroscience and Psychology from the University of Manchester.
She shares her experiences of what it’s like to be part of a REC and what she would say to someone thinking about becoming a REC member.
What inspired you to become a REC member?
I was inspired to become a REC member after attending an event last year in London with my colleagues, where we heard directly from ethics committee members about their work. My work at SCOPE focuses on the delivery of clinical trials and making studies run smoothly, but hearing from REC members sparked a curiosity about what happens before a study reaches that stage. I joined the Derby REC because I wanted to see the bigger picture; how studies are challenged, refined, and ultimately approved from an ethical standpoint.
What do you enjoy about being a REC member?
It’s been a really rewarding experience, not just expanding my knowledge of the field but learning from people with diverse perspectives who play a key role in protecting research participants. Volunteering on a committee has not only been great for my personal growth and confidence but has also made my day-to-day work more meaningful by seeing the 'why' behind study design.
What have you learnt from your experiences in REC meetings so far?
One important thing I learned very quickly is that REC members aren’t actually that scary or intimidating, they are in fact made up of very lovely people! Prior to joining a committee, attending a REC meeting from the researcher’s perspective was quite a nerve-wracking prospect; you’re unsure what to expect or what kinds of questions will be raised. However, being on the other side has really changed that perception. I’ve seen first-hand that REC members are not there just to find fault and make life harder for the researchers, but instead their approach is just to ask questions the researchers may not have considered before and work collaboratively with them to improve their studies.
Another thing I have learnt is how to not be overwhelmed with vast amounts of documentation. Initially, there is a lot to digest but with practice and guidance I have learnt how to review these documents pragmatically and where to focus my attention.
What's been your most memorable REC meeting?
The most memorable REC meetings for me are the ones where the committee’s input has led to some important and meaningful changes, for example improvements to participant facing documents or changes to study procedures to protect participants better. Other memorable meetings are ones in fields that I find interesting; there is such a vast array of applications that you will often come across studies in an indication which may be of personal interest to you. Personally, I love to see research in women’s health, as it’s something I’m passionate about with it being such an under researched area. I also have a personal interest in neurology studies with my neuroscience background.
What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a REC member?
I would really recommend becoming a REC member to anyone with an interest in clinical research and patient safety. It’s a unique opportunity to see a different side of the research process and to contribute to ensuring studies are conducted ethically.
You don’t need to have all the answers, what matters most is a willingness to be curious, ask questions, and consider the participant perspective.
For me, it’s a valuable experience both professionally and personally, offering the chance to develop new skills, broaden your perspective, and play a meaningful role in clinical research.
Meet our volunteers
Read about our volunteers’ experiences of being part of a committee: