# PhD Student Ethics Procedures

If you are a CCI PhD student and wish to start a new research or KE project you must apply for ethical approval before you begin your research. If you are unsure if you require ethical approval please consult the guidance [here](https://wiki.cci.arts.ac.uk/books/research-knowledge-exchange-ethics/page/do-i-need-to-apply-for-ethics-approval) or send a brief description to CCI CRESC (<a href= "mailto:cci-cresc@arts.ac.uk">cci-cresc@arts.ac.uk</a>). 

<b>As a UAL PhD student you are required to apply for research ethics via the UAL Doctoral School.</b> Please refer to your PhD handbook for guidance and the ethics application forms.

<b>To Apply:</b> Email your completed 'Post-Registration Research Ethics Approval Form' to <a href= "mailto:researchdegrees@arts.ac.uk">researchdegrees@arts.ac.uk</a>. Remember to include i<a href="https://artslondon.sharepoint.com/:w:/t/CCICRESC583/EUKGtar3dg9ApSGJO9oaDJoBei5fROENFLLsh5NApzRVRQ?e=nCziHs">nformation sheet and consent forms</a> with your application./b>.

<b>The Process:</b>
<ul>
  <li>Your application will be forwarded from the Doctoral School to CRESC for review and given a reference number. Please use this reference number in all correspondence.</li>
  <li>Your application will be reviewed by two members of the CRESC committee. </li>
  <li>The reviewers will assess the <b>level of risk</b> your project involves. </li>
  <ul>
    <li><b>Minimal risks</b> are those that anyone involved in the research may encounter in everyday life. Applications at or below minimal risk can be entirely approved by CRESC.</li>
    <li><b>Above minimal risk </b> projects are those that involve any risks above those encountered in everyday life or involve participants who cannot give informed consent (e.g. due to being a minor). See risk definitions in section 6 <a href="https://canvas.arts.ac.uk/documents/sppreview/502f4e88-a556-4765-a369-8a604932302a">here</a>. Projects with above minimal risk will initially be reviewed by CRESC but then sent to the UAL RKEESC for final approval. Please allow more time for such approvals.</li></ul>
    <li>Reviewers may require amendments to your application. Please make amendements as quickly as possible to aid the process.</li>
    <li> On approval, the UAL Doctoral School will be informed and you will be emailed a certificate with your approval number. Please refer to this approval number and the 'Creative Computing Institute College Research Ethics Sub-Committee' in all future declarations about your project ethics. </li>
   <li>If there are changes to the way the intended project is carried out, please let us know by filling in a  <a href="https://artslondon.sharepoint.com/:w:/t/CCICRESC583/EbWJA-9bvelIo5f-6Wlg02wBkvMc4ny1wKDCNp_Nf2ip6w?e=0yzZQf">Notice of Ammendment</a>. Substantial amendments may require a new ethics application, non-substantial amendments can be approved by Chair’s action. Further information can be found <a href="https://artslondon.sharepoint.com/:b:/t/CCICRESC583/ETNbWtNHLGhBrD9h6R4vlTsBDiBvb1tMq8XWS_cGYwZJ-A?e=XaSaQt"> here</a>.  </li>
</ul>
Any questions about the process for PhD students should be directed to <a href= "mailto:researchdegrees@arts.ac.uk">researchdegrees@arts.ac.uk</a> or #research-ethics on Slack.