Research Ethics Board: Call for members 2024

Research Ethics Board: Call for Members 2024

Dawson College’s Research Ethics Board (REB) is currently recruiting new members.

About the Dawson REB
The Dawson College Research Ethics Board (REB) is an autonomous body mandated by Dawson College’s Board of Governors to review the ethical acceptability of research involving humans, where:

1. Dawson researchers and researchers from other institutions wish to conduct research or recruit human participants (students and/or staff) at Dawson College;
2. Researchers under the auspices of Dawson College wish to conduct research with human participants external to the College.

In addition to conducting reviews of research protocols, the REB provides information, education, and resource support on conducting research involving human participants.

The REB welcomes applications for membership in the following categories:

1. Representative Knowledgeable in Ethics (2 positions)
Candidates for this membership category need to have sufficient knowledge to guide an REB in identifying and addressing ethics issues. A balance of ethics theory, practice and experience offers the most effective path to knowledge in ethics for REB membership.

2. Representative Knowledgeable in the Relevant Disciplines (1 position)
Relevant Research Disciplines include the Social Sciences and Humanities, Educational Research, Research Methods, Nursing, Community and Social Services. Candidates for this membership category must be knowledgeable in a range of quantitative or qualitative research methods for research projects involving human participants. Recent experience conducting research in one of these areas and research involving human participants will be considered an asset.

3. Representative Knowledgeable in the Law (1 position)
The role of the member knowledgeable in the law is to alert the REB of legal issues and their implications (e.g., privacy issues). Knowledge and/or work experience with privacy and confidentially laws would be considered an asset.

4. Community Member (1 position)
Candidates for this membership category must not be affiliated with Dawson College. It is advisable that Community Member candidates not be currently engaged in research activities or practice law as their primary activity. Experience as a participant in a research study would be considered an asset.

To ensure the independence of the REB in its ethics review and decision-making, senior administrators are not eligible to serve as members of the Dawson REB. All other Dawson employees and external community members are eligible to submit an application for REB membership.

Time Commitment
The Dawson REB typically meets once a month throughout the fall and winter semesters of the academic year. REB meetings are currently held online and last an hour and a half. In-person meetings last no longer than two hours and dinner is provided. REB members may be called upon to conduct 1-2 delegated reviews per semester depending on the number of applications received and the size of the REB. Delegated reviews and meeting preparations (e.g., reviewing research protocol requiring full board review) generally can take up to 1-2 hours.

Please note membership on the REB is voluntary. While individual expenses will be reimbursed (e.g., parking), there is no financial compensation for individuals who assume the responsibilities of REB membership.

Training and Development Benefits
REB members are provided with education and training to enable them to fulfill their duties. These opportunities may include participation in local or out-of-town conferences, workshops, and round table discussions, as well as the applied learning that is encouraged at each meeting. At a minimum, all REB members should complete the TCPS 2: CORE-2022 (Course on Research Ethics) upon joining the REB.

Selection Process
The REB Office will contact the selected candidates to schedule an interview with the REB Selection Committee. Upon a successful interview, the candidate will be invited to attend a REB meeting as an observer. The Selection Committee will then make their final recommendation(s) to the Dawson College Board of Governors for appointment. The term of appointment is 1 year, renewable up to 5 years.

How to Apply

To apply, please complete the Membership Form by Monday, December 4, 2023.

Any inquiries regarding the REB, the Call for Members or the Selection Process can be sent to
rebapply@dawsoncollege.qc.ca

Deadline: Monday, December 4, 2023

Thank you for your interest in serving on the REB.