Research ethics advocacy roles

Why research ethics advocacy roles? 

Research ethics can often be thought of as a form to be filled in, a committee to appease, an obstacle to be surmounted before “research” can be begun.  

Various ethics advocacy roles have been introduced as part of the new university research ethics structure to combat this view, and to generate a supportive and responsive research ethics community at the University. Role holders will identify and share best ethical practice in research, offer informal guidance and dialogue, and help us to see the bigger ethical picture around research. 

Each faculty will have a Faculty Research Ethics Officer (FREO) for this purpose, and each school a School Research Ethics Officer (SREO). We are also excited to announce the introduction of PGR Ethics Advocates, to help bridge the gap between the University research ethics structure and the student body who need to engage with it.  

If you are interested in becoming a FREO or SREO, or if you have any questions, then please get in touch at research-ethics@bristol.ac.uk.

Specific role descriptions can be found in the below documents.

Role Descriptions

Faculty Research Ethics Officer (FREO): FREO role description (PDF, 76kB)

School Research Ethics Officer (SREO): SREO role description (PDF, 76kB)