The University of Windsor has a requirement to ensure that all research carried out under its purview is conducted morally, ethically and with integrity, and in compliance with the Tri-Agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research as well as the guidelines of agencies, institutions, and foundations which provide funding with specific conditions. All research that involves human participants or human tissues must be conducted in accordance with the ethical principles and articles of the Tri-Council Policy Statement 2 (2014): Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2) 2014 and the University of Windsor Guidelines for Research Involving Human Research Participants (2009, updated 2017).
To ensure compliance with certification guidelines, the University has formed committees to review, clear and oversee relevant research protocols. These certification committees are the Research Ethics Board, the Animal Care Committee, and the Research Safety Committee (RSC). The RSC is comprised of three sub-committees, the Biological Safety Committee, the Radiation Safety Committee and the Laboratory Safety Committee. ORIS plays a key role in ensuring that research funds are not used without the oversight and clearance of the appropriate committee(s).
The REB oversees all matters pertaining to research that involves human participants. All research involving human participants or human tissues, whether funded or unfunded, must be reviewed and cleared by the REB prior to commencement. The REB is organized and operates according to the guidelines in the Tri-Council Policy Statement 2 (2014): Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2) 2014 and the University of Windsor Guidelines for Research Involving Human Research Participants (2009, updated 2017).
The TCPS2 requires REB review of research undertaken by its faculty, staff, or students regardless of the location where the research is conducted. If research is conducted at facilities or sites outside of the University, such as hospitals or school boards, additional review and clearance may be required by an ethics committee within the institution or agency having jurisdiction over the site of the research. All researchers whose studies involve human participants are required to complete the TCPS2 Course on Research Ethics (C.O.R.E.) introductory tutorial, which can be found on-line at http://tcps2core.ca/welcome.
View the TCPS2 Course on Research Eithics (CORE) Introductory Tutorial
Based on Article 6.1 of the Tri-Council Policy Statement 2 (2014) and the Windsor Guidelines, outside researchers are required to obtain clearance from the University of Windsor's REB to conduct research on campus or recruit members of the campus community as research participants.
Faculty, staff and students of the University of Windsor may be affiliated with other institutions, engaged in consulting or other professional activities in a separate enterprise, or in student coop work or field placements. If members of the University of Windsor reference their affiliation with the University or use any of its resources when engaging in research, they must submit their research proposal to the University of Windsor REB for research ethics review in accordance with the TCPS2 (2014) policy.
Research involving human participants must receive ethics clearance from the REB before grant money will be released. Partial release of funds is available to researchers whose protocols are still under development. However, no recruitment of participants or data collection can occur until REB clearance is granted.
All researchers are strongly recommended to apply for REB clearance either prior to or immediately after receiving funding to ensure that all funds are released in a timely manner. All sources of funding related to an REB application should be communicated clearly to the REB on the protocol application form.
The University of Windsor Guidelines for Research Involving Human Research Participants, associated application forms, and deadlines for application submission can be found at the REB website.
View the Research Ethics Board
Contact the Research Ethics Board (REB)
Board Chair: Dr. Scott Martyn
519-253-3000 ext. 2434
smartyn@uwindsor.ca
Primary Contact:
Research Ethics Coordinator
519-253-3000 ext. 3948
ethics@uwindsor.ca
The ACC, which oversees all matters pertaining to research, funded or not, that involves animals, has been set up according to the Terms of Reference for Animal Care Committees as established by the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC). The ACC is subject to regular peer review by the CCAC, which includes assessments of the effectiveness of the ACC and the appropriateness of its animal care facilities, practices, and procedures.
All research and teaching that involves the use of vertebrate animals and cephalopods (octopus, squid) must have an Animal Utilization Project Proposal (AUPP) reviewed and approved by the ACC prior to the initiation of such research or instruction. No work with animals can be ordered or obtained prior to approval by the ACC.
As the ACC meets at least four times per year, all investigators are strongly recommended to apply for ACC approval either prior to or immediately after receiving funding to ensure that all funds are released in a timely manner. All sources of funding related to the Animal Utilization Project Proposal (AUPP) should be communicated clearly to the ACC on the protocol submission form.
All forms for researchers working with animals can be found here
Contact the Animal Card Comittee (ACC)
Chair: Dr. John Hudson
Primary Contact:
Cassandra Catalano
Animal Care Coordinator
519-253-3000 ext. 3741
acc@uwindsor.ca
The RSC oversees all matters pertaining to biosafety, radiation, x-ray, laser and laboratory safety at the University and is mandated to fulfill the responsibilities of a Research Institution as described in the most current version of the Government of Canada Canadian Biosafety Standards (1st edition, 2015), the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and the Ministry of Labour, and all other applicable legislation. The RSC operates according to the standards and procedures described in the Government of Canada’s Standards and Guidelines, the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Radiation Emitting Devices (RED) Act. These standards and procedures include verifying that all work with biohazardous agents, radioactive materials, x-rays, and lasers, carried out at the University, are in accordance with the safety practices as stated in the Guidelines and Regulations. All work conducted, whether on the University’s property or under the control of the University, by University faculty and staff, must be issued by the appropriate University of Windsor Safety Certificate.
All investigators must apply for the appropriate University of Windsor Safety Certificate either prior to, or immediately after receiving funding to ensure that all funds are released in a timely manner.
Contact the Research Safety Committee (RSC)
Chair: Dr. Matthew Krause
519-253-3000 ext. 2443
rsc@uwindsor.ca
Coordinator: Corinne Allsop
519-253-3000 ext. 3923
Corinne.Allsop@uwindsor.ca
Any researcher who intends to import or manufacture a “new substance” in Canada, whether organic or inorganic, animate (live) or inanimate (lifeless), is required to submit a new substance notification (NSN) package to Environment Canada’s New Substance Division prior to importing or manufacturing.
The Chemical Control Centre is the administrative department responsible for the acquisition of all hazardous materials on campus and is responsible for ensuring that all substances acquired by the University are located on the Canada’s Domestic Substances List. The Centre verifies purchases, assists clients in submitting NSN packages, and ensures that the institution follows the Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999.
Learn more at Environment Canada, New Substances Division
Contact Environment Canada, New Substances Division
External Contact
800-567-1999
ec.substances.ec@canada.ca
Some research undertaken at the University may be subject to export controls administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, particularly in the Faculties of Science and Engineering. This may include the transmission of results or information about specific research under the Export and Import Permits Act (EIPA), if the item is included on the Export Control List or if the recipient country is on the Area Control List. In addition, certain research may also be subject to regulation by Canada’s Controlled Goods Directorate.
All research at the University must comply with the relevant acts and associated regulations. The funding agency does not take any responsibility for the University of Windsor’s compliance, including the actions of applicants. Applicants and their associated institutions bear direct responsibility for ensuring compliance with the laws and regulations regarding Controlled Information.
Research Involving Controlled Goods Contact
External Contact:
Controlled Goods Program
866-368-4646
Internal Contact:
Sherri Lynne Menard
Manager, Environmental Health & Safety
519-253-3000 ext. 2055
smenard@uwindsor.ca
The University of Windsor works in collaboration with Health Canada, to ensure that controlled substances are handled effectively and remain in legal distribution channels; and that valid commercial, medical and scientific activities are not interfered with.
Research organizations require licensing and permits to obtain, make, store or transport controlled substances. Some research undertaken at the University may be subject to import and export controls administered by Health Canada.
All legislative documents related to controlled substances can be found on the Health Canada
All research at the University must comply with the relevant acts and associated regulations. The funding agency does not take any responsibility for the University of Windsor’s compliance, including the actions of applicants. Applicants and their associated institutions bear direct responsibility for ensuring compliance with the laws and regulations regarding Controlled Information.
Research Involving Controlled Substances Contact
External contact:
Health Canada
Office of Controlled Substances
866-368-4646
Internal contact:
Sherri Lynne Menard
Manager, Environmental Health & Safety
519-253-3000 ext. 2055
smenard@uwindsor.ca
Environmental Assessment (EA) provides an effective means of integrating environmental factors into planning and decision-making processes in a manner that promotes economic development that conserves and enhances environmental quality. EAs are carried out as required by provincial, territorial or federal legislation and mitigating measures are implemented to limit the adverse impacts of research activities on the environment.
In Canada, EAs are triggered whenever a federal department or agency, such as NSERC, proposes a project, provides financial assistance, transfers control of federal land to enable a project, or provides a license, permit or an approval as listed in the Law List Regulations to enable a project. Any research project, which involves any of the activities which trigger an EA, will be reviewed for environmental sensitivity and identify any potential liability for the institution.
All NSERC applications are reviewed by NSERC during the peer review process for compliance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. Individual researchers are encouraged to complete pre-screening questions as part of their funding application (pre-screening – Form 101 Appendix A).
For More Information Contact
External contact:
Environmental Assessment Officer, NSERC
613-995-8079
enviro.assess@nserc.ca
Internal contact:
Sara Kenno
Office of Research and Innovation Services
519-253-3000 ext. 3918
sara.kenno@uwindsor.ca