Research update on Human Participant Research

This message was originally sent to all employees and graduate students by Charmaine B. Dean, Vice-President, Research and International.

This message is to provide information for researchers regarding safety plans, masking, and proof of vaccination requirements for human participant research, including research with vulnerable populations. The guidance indicated below is subject to change depending on public health conditions. For planning purposes with in-person human participant research, note that as has been communicated, various requirements may be re-imposed at any time based on public health recommendations.

As of May 1^st, 2022:

• Safety plans for human participant research, domestic field work travel, and domestic travel for research, conference, teaching and/or service will no longer be required.
• COVID information consent letters for human participant research will no longer be required.
• Researchers conducting human participant studies on campus are required to wear a mask until further notice. Off-campus research must adhere to public health requirements in effect at the venue where they are conducting research. Please consult the facial coverings webpage for information on appropriate masks.
• In alignment with the University guidance, vaccine mandates for researchers and study participants, including vulnerable populations, will no longer be required. However, researchers conducting human participant research at an off-campus location will be required to follow the vaccine mandate and public health requirements of the organization/hospital/group where the research is being conducted, if applicable.

The University strives to provide a safe environment for employees and visitors to campus. As noted in earlier communications by the University, we continue to recommend full vaccination and booster shots as advised by public health authorities for members of our community.