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Research Governance

In this section you can find information about research governance including links to the university ethics committees and ethical approval process.

All research projects must be checked to ascertain whether they require ethical approval and depending on the nature of the research may also require external ethical committee (e.g. NHS, etc) approval as well as UCLan approval. Your research will be processed through the relevant committee depending on School location and/or area/discipline and where applicable vetted for ethical, and also health & safety, issues prior to commencement of the project.

UCLan ethics committees

Find out more about our e-Ethics system including a list of UCLan ethics committees and links to download the application form / checklist.

Ethical principles

View the document on Ethical Principles for Teaching, Research, Consultancy, Knowledge Transfer & Related Activities 

Code of Conduct for Research

View the document on UCLan's Code of Conduct for Research

Student Policies and Regulations

The University's Policies and Regulations can be found on our Student Contract page and in our Document Library, useful guides and forms

Research passport

The Research passport initiative was developed by NHS R&D and UK Clinical Research Collaboration to streamline the engagement process for university researchers conducting research in the NHS. This is a national scheme which has been piloted and is now being implemented nationally.

The introduction of the research passport is to eliminate duplication using transparent links between Universities and NHS Trusts. This process is only for researchers with a contract of employment which requires them to engage in health related research in the NHS. The requirement of a research passport is determined by the nature of the research project.

For further information download the UCLan Research Passport Scheme.  

Research Governance Unit

The Research Governance Unit (RGU) is responsible for developing processes for oversight and governance of research at UCLan, including:

  • Research Integrity
  • Research Ethics
  • Clinical Research Governance and Sponsorship
  • Governance of Animal Research
  • Research involving Human Tissue
  • International Research

Applying for Ethical Approval

Full details of how to apply for ethical approval can be found on the Research Ethics student support page. Regular training is also provided for PGR students on how to apply for ethical approval at UCLan, further details and dates of training can be found in the PGR training brochure. If you are conducting research in a UK Health Department (including the NHS) or in social care, you will be required to apply for University Sponsorship, NHS Ethics and/or Health Research Authority Approval. Please email IrasSponsor@uclan.ac.uk for advice on next steps.

Contact details:

General enquiries and University ethics applications: ethicsinfo@uclan.ac.uk
Clinical Research Governance and Sponsorship enquiries: IrasSponsor@uclan.ac.uk