Research Ethics Committee of the Wellcome Sanger Institute
The Sanger Institute believes that its science should be carried out in a way that is ethically responsible, sensitive to the needs of any vulnerable populations involved, mindful of broader social and environmental implications, and protects sensitive data with the highest levels of security and privacy.
To help our researchers conceive and design their research in ways that maintain the highest-possible ethical standards and integrity, the Institute has set up the Sanger Research Ethics Committee (Sanger REC).
The Committee’s members apply their wide range of expertise and insight to provide independent internal ethical review of the Institute’s research activities. Their guidance ensures that the Institute’s research meets recognised ethical standards and is conducted responsibly and with integrity.
What we do
The Sanger REC ensures that social science research is conducted in a way that protects the rights, welfare, and dignity of research participants. It reviews research involving human tissue where other regulatory ethical reviews do not cover the requirements of the Institute, and may also convene to consider whether the use of animals is justified and appropriate.
Ethical review may be requested by researchers seeking to initiate research activities, or may be sought by the Research Governance team when additional review would add value to the decision-making process.
The Committee meets four times a year. Sub-committees may be convened to review applications deemed appropriate.
Approval from the Committee does not remove the necessity to obtain all appropriate approvals, licences and permits required by laws and regulations. In addition, there may still be a requirement for ethical review of a study by a third party, after the Sanger REC has given approval. For example, when the intention is to acquire human samples from overseas, an ethical review must be carried out by an appropriate body in the source country before samples can be exported to the Institute.
The Committee
The Sanger REC draws its membership from both the Sanger Institute (including faculty, PhD students and post-docs) and from external subject matter experts and members of the lay public. This is broad base of knowledge allows the Committee to explore and consider a wide range of ethical issues from multiple viewpoints and life experience.
All the members of the Sanger Research Ethics Committee give their time voluntarily and we are grateful for their time and commitment.
Joanne Doleman,
Head of Research Governance for Trusted Human Research, Wellcome Sanger Institute
Dr Kirsten Goldring,
Senior Director/Head HBS Compliance, Astra Zeneca
Caroline Spinks,
Director of small family engineering business, and volunteer and part-time worker in the nature recovery sector
Georgina Bates,
Research Project Manager, Wellcome Sanger Institute
Hazel Bentall,
Veterinary Surgeon, currently studying for an MA in Biomedical and Healthcare Ethics
Jacqueline María,
Valverde Villegas Postdoctoral Fellow, Wellcome Sanger Institute
Olga Woolmer,
Veterinary Surgeon, Owl Vets
Pru Hobson-West,
Professor of Science, Medicine and Society, Institute for Science and Society, University of Nottingham
Stanley Hobson,
Strategy and Innovation Support Coordinator, Wellcome Sanger Institute
Stephen Bentley,
Principal Staff Scientist, Wellcome Sanger Institute
Susan Steel,
Retired
Zachary Ardern,
Postdoctoral Fellow, Wellcome Sanger Institute
Alison Hall,
Associate of the PHG Foundation
Any other information
If you would like to contact the Sanger Research Ethics Committee please email the Secretariat on SangerREC@sanger.ac.uk
