Are you interested in becoming a lay member of one of our Committees?

Lancaster University is inviting applications for lay members to join the University Research Ethics and Integrity Committee, Faculty Research Ethics Committees and the Clinical Research Sponsorship Committee.

About the Committees

The University Research Ethics and Integrity Committee works at a senior level to ensure the University’s policies and processes for research ethics and integrity are robust and effective. It oversees the work of the Faculty Research Ethics Committees. Applicants should have no vested interest in Lancaster University research and be independent of the University.

Faculty Research Ethics Committees are responsible for reviewing applications for research projects to ensure they are ethically sound and they incorporate good research practice. Because their role is to bring different perspectives to discussions about research projects lay members’ participation in reviewing ethics applications is integral to the ethical review process which is intended to protect research participants in particular. Some training on the Ethics Committees’ review processes will be provided. Applicants should have no vested interest in the research which the Committees review and be independent of the University.

Clinical Research Sponsorship Committee ensures clinical research proposals submitted by University’s researchers meet the standards of the Health Research Authority and NHS. Applicants should have no vested interest in Lancaster University research and be independent of the University.

About the roles

The Committees comprise of academic members of staff, students and lay members. Lay members can be from a diverse range of backgrounds and do not need to have specialist knowledge. Please read the ‘Lay members’ desirable attributes’ section below for additional information.

Lay member roles are voluntary (unpaid) but reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed and parking passes will be provided for on campus meetings. Virtual attendance may be possible for those unable to travel to the university.

We would like to hear from you

If you are interested in any of these roles or would like to have an informal discussion we would like to hear from you. Please send an email to Bethan McMullen, b.mcmullen@lancaster.ac.uk, including your name and phone number for an informal chat. If applying for a role indicate which role you are interested in, your rationale for applying and if you are willing to be contacted by phone.

Lay members’ desirable attributes

• Be committed to ensuring the highest standards for research ethics and integrity.
• Ability to understand and analyse complex issues and weigh up the relative merits of conflicting perspectives.
• Ability to be objective, and willingness to consider and engage with differing opinions of others, from a range of backgrounds.
• Good communication skills and confidence to voice own opinion.
• Be committed to the values of accountability, honesty, openness and equality of opportunity.
• Be available to attend at least half of the Committee meetings (maximum 2 hours per meeting).
• Understand the need for confidentiality, and maintain confidentiality at all times; and have awareness of data protection.
• Willing to attend induction to the Committee within the first month of appointment.
• Have access to a laptop, tablet or similar device and be IT literate as some work will involve accessing information electronically.
• Desirable: Live within easy travelling distance of Lancaster University to attend in person meetings and willing to attend meetings online when applicable. (Online meetings will be via Microsoft TEAMS).