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Introducing research ethics

Solent University requires that ethical clearance must be obtained before any research project or innovation activity can commence and potential human participants can be approached.

It is the responsibility of the principal investigator, whether a student or a member of staff to obtain ethical clearance.

How to make an ethics application

Follow the links below to find out about different kinds of ethics applications:

Information for students

Information for supervisors

Information for members of staff

Information for panel members/deputy chairs

Data collection and online survey tools

Staff and students wishing to complete data collection via online surveys must use the University's licence for Jisc Online Surveys. If they do not already have a user account, they need to email research.innovation@solent.ac.uk to request one.

The University Research Ethics Committee acknowledges that surveys are an everyday part of education and research and enable the user to collect and analyse findings from a larger data set than handing out questionnaires/surveys individually. However, Solent requires that surveys should only be conducted using JISC Online Surveys. It will be considered a breach of ethical regulations is any other survey tool is used.

Useful resources and sample forms


UKRI preventing harm (safeguarding) in research and innovation

Research Ethics indicative reading list

Research ethics release criteria

Example informed consent form

Example participant information sheet

When undertaking research, it is important to consider implications for data protection. Please read the University's information on the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

The University makes an annual statement on research integrity, which can be seen below.

Research ethics committee and governance

Research ethics standing panels report to the University Research Ethics Committee (UREC). For further information about Solent University's research ethics structures please view our ethics committee terms of reference:

Research Ethics Committee Terms of Reference

Solent University, as a signatory to UUK, upholds the commitments of the Concordat to Support Research Integrity.

Concordat to Support Research Integrity

Annual Statement on Research Integrity

The University supports high standards of research integrity with a range of associated policies and procedures.

University Research Ethics Policy (Academic Handbook 2S)

University Research Ethics Procedure (Academic Handbook 4S)

Student Academic Misconduct Policy (Academic Handbook 2L)

Student Academic Misconduct Procedure (Academic Handbook 4L)

Staff Research Misconduct Policy (Academic Handbook 2T)

First points of contact for research integrity

For more information about research integrity at Solent University, please contact Georgia Croucher, RKE Ethics and Integrity Officer: ethics@solent.ac.uk.

For confidential enquiries about the University's Whistleblowing Policy, staff should contact the relevant member of senior management from the list below:

Solent University's whistle-blowing policy

  • Professor Syamantak Bhattacharya, Provost
  • Professor Emma Wadsworth, Vice Provost for Research and Innovation
  • Dr Dominic Cunliffe, Head of Sport and Health (Interim)
  • Claire Hughes, Head of Business and Law
  • Associate Professor Darren Kerr, Head of Film and Media
  • Lars Lippuner, Director of Warsash Maritime School
  • Brent Meheux, Head of Art and Music
  • Jan Parker, Head of Social Sciences and Nursing
  • Associate Professor Sarah Radif, Head of Science and Engineering

Best principles for metrics-based research

Solent University has adopted the principles of both the Leiden Manifesto and the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) which foreground best practice in the use of metrics-based research assessment. Both Leiden and DORA respond to concerns about the reliability and value of research evaluation using quantitative data and set out the principles for responsible, transparent and contextualised use of data balanced by informed peer judgement.

Read more about the Leiden Manifesto

Read more about DORA

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