Need help?

Research Ethics System questions? Contact researchethics@uwaterloo.ca

Staff are available to address your questions regarding ethics clearance for research involving human participants by:

• consulting and providing support during all stages of the application and review process,
• developing and distributing educational materials, guidelines, procedural information, along with sample documents related to research with human participants,
• helping to determine if your research is minimal risk and can be reviewed by a delegated reviewer or is greater than minimal risk requiring review by one of the two Research Ethics Committees,
• arranging a guest lecturer for a course or to give a presentation on a topic related to research ethics, and
• discussing the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans and how these guidelines apply to your proposed research, or pointing you to other resources if needed.

Vanessa Buote

Research Ethics Advisor, ext. 30321

• advisor for:
  • Department of Psychology (clinical program, cognitive neuroscience program, developmental program, Centre for Mental Health Research and Treatment (CMHRT)
  • Department of Kinesiology
  • Faculty of Mathematics
  • Games Institute
  • Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA)
  • Survey Research Centre (SRC)

Joanna Eidse 

Research Ethics Advisor, ext. 37163

• advisor for:
  • Department of Psychology (cognitive psychology program, industrial/organizational (I/O) program, social psychology program)
  • School of Public Health and Health Systems
  • Renison University College
  • St. Jerome's University
  • Conrad Grebel University College
  • St. Paul's University College
• contact for studies being conducted in Waterloo region schools

Julie Joza

Director, Research Ethics, ext. 36005

• contact for:
  • problems associated with human participant research (adverse events, protocol deviations, incidental/secondary findings)
  • agreements with Canadian or other institutions
  • overall operation of the Research Ethics office

Karen Pieters

Manager, Research Ethics, ext. 30495

• advisor for:
  • Centre for Teaching Excellence
  • Conrad Business, Entrepreneurship, and Technology Centre
  • Faculty of Engineering (Civil and Environmental Engineering, Management Sciences, School of Architecture)
  • Faculty of Environment
  • International Tobacco Control (ITC) project
  • Library
  • School of Accounting
• contact for:
  • Human Research Ethics Committee
  • collaborative studies requiring review by:
    • Conestoga College Research Ethics Board
    • Wilfrid Laurier University Research Ethics Board
    • Western University Non-medical Research Ethics Board (NMREB)
  • classroom and other education presentations

Heather Root

Senior Manager, Research Ethics, ext. 30469

• advisor for:
  • Faculty of Engineering (Chemical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Systems Design Engineering)
  • Faculty of Science (excluding Pharmacy)
  • Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology (CBB)
  • Centre for Ocular Research and Education (CORE)
  • Velocity Science and Velocity Garage
  • Research using human tissue or bodily fluids
• contact for:
  • Clinical Research Ethics Committee
  • Research Ethics and Integrity Advisory Committee
  • collaborative studies requiring review by:
    • Tri-Hospital Research Ethics Board (THREB)
    • Western University Medical Research Ethics Board (MREB)

Erin Van Der Meulen

Research Ethics Advisor, ext. 37046

• advisor for:
  • Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies
  • Faculty of Arts (excluding Psychology)
  • School of Pharmacy
  • Basillie School of International Affairs
  • Centre for International Governance Innovation
• contact for research that will be partnering with Indigenous communities