Face-to-face human participant research on campus
The University of Sussex has updated its guidance to allow face-to-face research with human participants undertaken by postgraduate taught or postgraduate research students or staff to be conducted on campus, provided that research activity:
- Is considered suitable by the School;
- Considers continued requirements for effective social distancing;
- Complies with the relevant government and University Covid-19 guidelines.
However, research conducted on campus by undergraduate students which would normally be conducted in-person should continue to be undertaken remotely.
Please see the University’s Health & Safety COVID-19 resources >
For in-person research conducted on campus, the Research Ethics and Governance Committee will require supporting evidence of compliance with COVID-19 measures outlined in the University’s Guidance for Researchers on Face to Face work with Human Participants and Guidance for Close Contact Work issued on the Health & Safety web pages >
Where researchers wish to adapt previously approved studies to in-person data collection, or to resume paused studies, the submission of a project amendment to RGEC will be required which includes protocols and supporting documents required in line with the University’s guidance.
New Postgraduate Taught student projects involving face-to-face research on campus will be categorised as ‘high risk’ and require review via the Research Governance and Ethics Committee rather than a School Research Ethics Officer (SREO).
Key points to note from the updated Guidance for Researchers on Face to Face work with Human Participants to be included in the ethics application are:
- Risk Assessment and Standard Operating Procedure detailing how specific guidelines on close contact work and all in-person activities will be adhered to for the research activity.
- Researchers to:
- Have recently obtained a negative COVID-19 lateral flow device test.
- Provide participants with detailed instruction on how to access the research area.
- Collect and store participant Track & Trace details.
- Participants to:
- Be advised to download the NHS track and trace app whilst on campus.
- Complete a Covid-19 health screening questionnaire.
- Provide contact details for Track & Trace.
- Have recently obtained a negative COVID-19 lateral flow device test.
- Be instructed to complete a University ‘symptoms reporting form’ if they develop symptoms within 48 hrs of being on-site.
The latest version of the guidance covers COVID-19 testing for participants and includes a link to book a test at the University’s Asymptomatic Testing Centre (ATC). The guidance also contains:
- Standard wording on Track & Trace for use in participant information sheets.
- Track & Trace record sheet.
- Risk Assessment template.
- COVID-19 screening document.
- Template letter to research participants about testing and booking a test at the ATC.