Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA)
Needles Hall, second floor, room 2201
On Dec 22 the following email was sent to all faculty and graduate students
To: All faculty and graduate students
From: Charmaine B. Dean, Vice-President, Research & International
Date: Tuesday, December 22, 2020
Subject: Implications of provincial shutdown measures on research
Note: This email is for information and action
Key Messages
The Government of Ontario has announced a province-wide shutdown effective 12:01 am Saturday, December 26th, 2020. This will impact Waterloo Region, and is expected to be in place for a minimum of 28 days. This critical measure, to limit the transmission of COVID-19 in our region and across the province, directly impacts the University of Waterloo campus.
Lab research
On campus lab research (except human participant research – see below) is not affected by these measures at this time. Faculty members, postdocs, graduate students and research staff may continue ongoing lab research that is compliant with the approved safety plans and the planned university holiday closures.
In the event that further direction on scaling back lab activities is given in the future, all departments are expected to have in place a plan for such scaling back of lab research activities.
Off campus field research is not permitted at this time.
Human participant research
Effective 12:01 am Saturday, December 26th, 2020, all in-person (face-to-face) research involving human participants that is being conducted on University of Waterloo campus or an off-campus location in Ontario is to be suspended until further notice, including ongoing research and studies that have recently received REB clearance. This includes research with approved safety plans, as well as studies that recently received approval of a safety plan. Exceptions are noted below.
Under the shut down, University of Waterloo researchers may not travel at this time to conduct research (including human participant research). Scheduled visits with participants must be postponed.
Office of Research Ethics will continue to review applications, but the REBs will not issue clearance to new protocols or amendments that involve in-person human participant research until further notice. If additional study visits are needed to preserve the safety and well-being of the participants, contact researchqueries@uwaterloo.ca. Amendments to shift to online or virtual methods will be prioritized for review. Renewals will continue to be reviewed and approved to ensure studies remain in good standing.
Exceptions for some human participant research/human participant contact
The following may continue:
If you are unsure whether your research falls into one of these categories, or if you have further queries, please contact researchqueries@uwaterloo.ca for confirmation.
Research using animals
Animal care is an essential service; the highest level of care and husbandry within our current staffing levels will be maintained. Researchers who work with animals are asked to postpone initiating new studies and shipments of incoming animals for new studies. Active studies may continue. If you are unsure whether your research may continue, contact researchqueries@uwaterloo.ca for confirmation.
Please note that although the University community is on a break, the researchqueries@uwaterloo.ca account is being actively monitored over the holiday period.
Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA)
Needles Hall, second floor, room 2201
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.