Committees

The majority of the projects reviewed by the Research Ethics Committees are hosted in the UK, with a few hosted abroad. The Principal Investigator must always be employed by Imperial College London. Low-level projects without high risks can be reviewed by the RGI team, any high-risk projects must be reviewed by full Committee these include but are not limited to:

• Research which is invasive
• Research where the subject matter is sensitive
• Research which includes prisoners and young offenders
• Research which involves individuals in an overtly dependent situation (people in care)
• Research which takes place overseas, these may also require local ethical approval (local approval is necessary but not sufficient on its own)
• Research which involves vulnerable groups; children or adults who are unable to consent, the mentally ill and individuals with learning difficulties

The research ethics risk checklist [Word]‌ will help determine whether your study is considered low risk (eligible for fast track approval) or high risk (for full committee review).

High risk and low risk studies

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Find out more about our two key committees: