The Research Ethics Committee is the umbrella body overseeing the ethical review of both human and animal research — under a single chair and secretariat, with two specialist review panels.
The Research Ethics Committee (REC) is the umbrella body, chaired by one REC Chair who oversees both subcommittees, ensures consistent policy, signs off on annual reports to the College Dean and Council, and resolves cross-committee or escalated matters.
To preserve the independence of each subcommittee, the Chair does not vote on routine protocol decisions within each panel, but sets standards and arbitrates disputes.
REC Chair → Assistant Dean for Scientific Affairs / Dean → College Council.
A single secretariat serves both panels.
When a human study is reviewed, the human-panel members carry the decision; for an animal protocol, the veterinarian and animal-use members must be present and voting.
Separate protocol logs, distinct review checklists, and independent approval letterheads (IRB vs. IACUC) — even under one committee name.
The separation stays clear if a journal or international funder audits your approvals, protecting the committee's credibility.
Voting membership is kept odd in each panel to avoid tied votes.
Each panel includes at least one member unaffiliated with the College — a recognized international standard.
A majority including the required specialist — the layperson for human studies, the veterinarian for animal protocols.
Terms of 2–3 years, renewable, with staggered rotation so the committee never loses all institutional memory at once.
Recusal is mandatory whenever a member is an investigator on a protocol under review.
No protocol is approved without its required specialist present.