Our Research Ethics Committee (REC) members are expected to undertake training and we support our members with this.
Our highly experienced Member Support Team and Learning and Development Teams provide an extensive programme of training specifically for REC members.
Induction for new REC members
On appointment, all REC members have access to the following workbooks:
- Getting set up in your new REC member role
- RECs and Research Applications
- Introduction to Ethics
The workbooks provide essential information to help new REC members get set up and carry out their new role.
Our 2 hour online induction for newly appointment REC members has been designed to support and help enhance this knowledge and awareness of RECs. All REC members are required to complete induction within six months of their appointment.
Newly appointed REC members will also be invited to join a REC mentor group. This is a group of up to five new members overseen by an experienced mentor. An invitation to join the group is sent after the member has attended their first REC meeting.
Equality, Diversity and Human Rights
All REC members must complete Equality and Diversity training within the first 12 months of each term of appointment. REC members have the option to complete the HRA’s module or evidence having completed a similar module provided by their employer or other organisation.
Continued learning
REC members are expected to complete four hours of training relevant to their REC member role each year. The HRA provides lots of learning opportunities to help REC members meet this expectation:
Learning Management System
Our learning management system provides members access to a number of learning modules to help them develop in their roles. The learning is provided is a mix of online live webinars, videos and electronic workbooks. Topics include clinical trials of an investigational medicinal product (CTIMPs), medical devices, gene therapy, research involving children, research involving adults lacking capacity to give consent, research involving prisons and prisoners, qualitative research, artificial intelligence, research statistics, research tissue banks and research databases.
We also invite REC members to attend a face-to-face REC Development Day once a year to receive important updates about the REC service and learn about developments in research and research ethics.
Self-directed learning
REC members can also undertake self-directed learning to meet this requirement. This could involve attending a face-to-face training event or completing e-learning via another organisation, but it could also involve undertaking independent self-directed learning, such as reading relevant articles and books. REC members record their self-directed learning on their HARP Member Portal account.
Self-directed learning recorded must be related to the REC member role, the work of the REC and/or relate to issues of ethical principles or legislation relevant to ethical review.
Athens
All REC members in England only are entitled to a free NHS Athens Account to access bibliographic databases and electronic journals such as The Lancet, British Medical Journal, and the Journal of Medical Ethics.
If you would like an NHS Athens account please contact the learning and development team for details.