The Research Ethics Committee is responsible for assuring research quality and authenticity.

Membership

• Chair: Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise)
• One member of academic staff from each Department of the University, nominated by the Head of Department
• Two members who are external to the University on nomination by the Vice-Chancellor
• The Committee may invite any other person to attend a meeting or a section of a meeting, including the applicant(s), if in the Committee's view, such additional people may be able to provide assistance in its deliberations.

Terms Of Reference

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) is responsible for the implementation of the Research Ethics Committee. The Research Ethics Committee has the following responsibilities:

1. To ensure that all research conducted under the auspices of the University, by its employees, students and approved visiting researchers, conforms to the highest standards of international ethical practice, meets the legal requirements of Iraq and Kurdistan, and complies with any international treaties to which obligations exist.
2. To ensure that human participants in the University’s research are protected in regard to their rights concerning privacy, respect of confidentiality, gaining of informed consent, health and safety and ensuring that the civil rights of participants are protected, including those related to discrimination with respect to gender, race, socio-economic level, ethnicity, religion and political affiliation.
3. To ensure that the University's reputation is maintained in regard to its adhere to research practices which are of high integrity and ethical standards.
4. To ensure that the University and its employees are protected against legal, personal and health and safety risks in relation to all aspects of the conduct and dissemination of University research.
5. To ensure that employees of the University are informed about ethical standards and practices in regard to research
6. To establish and continuously evaluate and improve processes for the assurance of high ethical standards in research
7. To monitor the legal, ethical and moral framework for the conduct of research
8. To receive complaints about any research project conducted under the auspices of the University, and to forward such complaints to the Vice-Chancellor for independent investigation and arbitration
9. To provide assistance to external organisations and other Universities and institutions, subject to the availability of the necessary resources and expertise, and may charge a fee for such services with approval from the Vice-Chancellor.

Ethical Standards

The ethical standards which are adopted are those which apply collectively in Universities of the United Kingdom, with the exception of the Membership of the Ethics Committee which is described above.

Research which has been approved by the Ethics Committee of another University will be subject to consideration by the Ethics Committee of the University of Kurdistan Hawler.

The legal framework which is adopted is that of the Kurdistan Regional Government, and where relevant, the laws of the Federal Government of Iraq.

The University will also adhere to any International Conventions and will respect any formal Conventions, Treaties and other Instruments to which they are obligated, either through the Iraqi and Kurdistan Governments or through membership of associations of Universities.

Ethics Approval Application Process

1. All research involving human participants requires formal approval from the Research Ethics Committee prior to commencement.
2. All research which, in the process of its conduct, could affect humans, either directly or indirectly requires formal approval from the Research Ethics Committee prior to commencement.
3. All research which involves animals, either directly or indirectly requires formal approval from the Research Ethics Committee prior to commencement.
4. It is the duty of the employees of the University to bring forward applications for research which may require approval, irrespective of the views of the researcher on likely risk, or what the effect of the research will be on participants, animals, or non-participant humans.
5. University employees are responsible for the submission to the Research Ethics Committee of any projects which are being conducted under their supervision or direction.
6. Applications for ethics approval needs to be made on the standard form which is designed for this purpose.
7. Applicants are responsible for providing * copies of the standard application form to the Secretary, Research Ethics Committee, University of Kurdistan Hawler.

Appeals Process

An appeals process will be established in line with the GRT to consider appeals form applicants who wish to appeal against decisions of the Committee. This process will be prepared in the next stage of the development of this Policy Framework.

Complaints Process

A complaints process will be established to consider complaints from participants in research and other parties with relevant interests. This process will be prepared in the next stage of the development of this Policy Framework.

Quality Assurance

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) will provide an annual report to Academic Board on the operation of the Research Ethics Committee. This report will include, amongst others, the number of applications received from different Departments, outcomes of the approval process, administrative efficiency including response time, number and nature of complaints, number and nature of appeals, the composition of the committee and any changes to the composition, significant issues which have affected the operation of the Committee, and any significant threats to the University related to ethical issues in research.

The Research Ethics Committee will be subject to periodic external review, including processes related to accreditation.