BU Research Blog

• Interested in getting an insight into the nuts-and-bolts of how research is done across the university?
• Want to help make sure that research – and your own – is high quality and as ethical as it can be?

Following the restructuring and subsequent workload adjustment, we now have a number of vacancies across both the central research ethics panels, for School Champions, and for Faculty representatives on the Research Ethics Committee, and we need YOU!

Research Ethics Panels: The Science, Technology and Health and the Social Sciences and Humanities ethic panels work across the university to champion the highest ethical standards in research undertaken by staff and PGR students, in line with the Research Ethics Code of Practice. We’re looking for academics from all schools, subject areas and backgrounds, and at any stage of their career, to ensure a diverse set of perspectives that ensures we can match subject-specific expertise with checklists needing review.

What’s involved?

You’ll receive UKRIO-supplied training and sit in on a couple of panels before being asked to review a small number of ethics checklists per month. These will be a mix of ‘above minimal risk’ checklists that will go to the monthly panels, and lower risk projects given a ‘light touch’ review offline. The Research Governance team, panel Chairs/Deputy Chairs and other panellists are always available to help if you have any queries. The roles come with a workload tariff of 66 hours. Duration of Panel membership will be no less than three years and no more than five years.

Current panellists agree that they find it extremely interesting getting such a practical overview of research going on across the university and considering some of the bigger ethical issues around different subject areas, and also highlight how much their own research has benefitted from the experience they’ve gained on the panel, so there are lots of positives to the role at any career stage, as well the opportunity to progress to the roles of Deputy Chair and Chair in due course if you choose.

Ethics Champions work across the Faculty and Schools to supporting PGRs and providing advice and guidance.

What’s involved?

You’ll receive UKRIO-supplied training and be provided with mentoring before being asked to review a small number of low-risk ethics checklists per month. The Research Governance team, panel Chairs/Deputy Chairs and other panellists are always available to help if you have any queries. The roles come with a workload tariff of 36 hours.

Current champions have supported PGR research projects within their School and some have progressed to Research Ethic Panel roles.

Faculty Academic Representatives sit on the Research Ethics Committee (REC) to promote best ethical practice in relation to research and research related activities across the University.

What’s involved?

You’ll receive UKRIO-supplied training and join up to four REC meetings each year. The REC is responsible for promoting the best ethical practice and overseeing the development of research ethics policies and procedures, and in particular to review and update as necessary the Research Ethics Code of Practice. The REC also oversees the activities of the Research Ethics Panels and ensures compliance across the University. The roles come with a workload tariff of 16 hours. Duration of Committee membership will be no less than three years and no more than five years.

The following vacancies are available starting in the 2026/27 Academic Year.

Research Ethics Committee Faculty Academic Representatives (workload tariff of 16 hours)

• Faculty of Business & Law – 2 vacancies
• Faculty of Health, Environment & Medical Sciences – 1 vacancy

Faculty Ethics Reviewers / Ethics Panel Members (workload tariff of 66 hours)

• Bournemouth University Business School (BAL) – 2 vacancies
• School of Law and Society (BAL) – 1 vacancy
• School of Allied Health & Exercise Sciences (MST) – 1 vacancy
• National Centre for Computing and Animation (MST) – 1 vacancy
• School of Computing and Engineering (MST) – 1 vacancy
• School of Psychology (MST) – 1 vacancy

Faculty/School Ethics Champions (workload tariff of 36 hours)

• Bournemouth University Business School (BAL) – 2 vacancies
• School of Law and Society (BAL) – 1 vacancy
• School of Computing and Engineering (MST) – 1 vacancy
• School of Psychology (MST) – 2 vacancies

If you’re interested in one of the roles, please submit an expression of interest here by Friday 5 June 2026.

The recruitment process will be administered by the Research Governance Team in Research & Innovation Services. Decisions on appointment to the roles will be made by Ethics Panel Chairs, in consultation with the Faculty Associate Deans for Research, Innovation and Enterprise and the Heads of Schools. Informal conversations may be held where there is significant interest in roles.

If you have any queries feel free to contact researchethics@bournemouth.ac.uk, or either of the current Chairs: Fiona Coward (STH; fcoward@bournemouth.ac.uk) or Richard Berger (SSH, RBerger@bournemouth.ac.uk) for a no-commitment chat.