Research Ethics

If you plan to undertake any research involving human data or material, and the information you are seeking is not already publicly and lawfully available, you need to obtain ethical approval before proceeding. Research with human data or material covers things like undertaking face to face or telephone interviewing, asking people to complete questionnaires (whether face to face, online or by email) or using personal information  held in electronic or paper records.

Application process

If you are an undergraduate or taught postgraduate student, ethical approval is gained by applying to the School of Law Ethics Forum. Please note that your supervisor must approve your application before it is submitted, either by emailing your application themselves or sending a separate email to the contact shown below.

Undergraduate: Lilian Wright (Lilian.Wright@glasgow.ac.uk)
Postgraduate (taught): Lilian Wright (Lilian.Wright@glasgow.ac.uk) 

If you are a member of staff or a research student, ethical approval is gained by applying to the College of Social Sciences Ethics Committee. Contact: Terri Hume (Terri.Hume@glasgow.ac.uk)

Further information

You can find further information about the ethical approval process (including detailed guidance about ethical issues) on the College of Social Sciences Research Ethics website: www.gla.ac.uk/colleges/socialsciences/research/ethics/

If you have any doubts about whether you need to seek ethical approval for your research, or any questions about the procedure, please contact the Convenor of the School of Law Ethics Forum, Dr Fiona Leverick (Fiona.Leverick@glasgow.ac.uk).