Research ethics
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The RCA’s Research Ethics Policy and processes are intended to support research activities undertaken by RCA staff and students. The policy aims to enhance research, and not to constrain it, by encouraging careful consideration of, and creative solutions to, any ethical questions or challenges that arise.
Research ethics committee
Research ethics at the RCA are overseen by the Research Ethics Committee, with the Research Staff and Students Ethics Sub-committee and Taught MA Sub-committee reporting to the Research Ethics Committee. This was established to advise on legal and ethical issues relating to research undertaken at the Royal College of Art and to ensure that research conducted at the College is conducted with integrity and meets the requirements of the Royal College of Art Research Ethics Policy.
The Committee considers all matters concerned with the ethics and integrity of investigations involving research subjects and considers all legal matters arising from research.The Committee safeguards the interests of volunteers taking part in investigations and research, to include the preservation of the right of anonymity of participants in, and respondents to research, and ensures that they are informed of any risks relating to participation in research. Where appropriate, the Committee advises the Research Committee on legal, moral or ethical issues relating to research.
The Research Ethics Committee publishes the Royal College of Art Research Ethics Policy (PDF) and the Research Ethics Checklist and Application Forms.
For more information on research integrity, please contact the Co-Chairs of the RCA's Ethics Committee:
Dr Emma Wakelin, Director Research & Innovation, responsible for research staff and students
Corinne Smith, Director of Academic Development, responsible for MA ethics provision.
RCA research integrity report
Download our annual reports:
Public interest disclosure (whistleblowing) policy
For those who wish to raise concerns about the integrity of research being conducted by the RCA or its researchers, please refer to the RCA Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblowing) Policy. Concerns or allegations should be sent to the RCA's Chief Operating Officer normally; in the interim, concerns should be sent to Zioge Smith, College Secretary.
