News and Overview - Research Involving Human Participants

Lakehead University requires that all research conducted by faculty, staff, and students conform to the highest ethical standards in the use of human participants. Any research or study conducted within University facilities or undertaken by persons connected to the University, which involves human participants, must be reviewed and approved by the Lakehead University Research Ethics Board (REB).

Lakehead University is covered under Human Subjects Assurance Number FWA00012950 which is on file with the U.S. Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP).

The Research Ethics Board

The Lakehead University Research Ethics Board was established to fulfill the ethical responsibilities surrounding research involving human participants in accordance with the standards developed by the Tri-Agencies [Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR)], Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and contained in the TCPS2 (Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans).

The REB is built upon the guiding core ethical principles as discussed by the TCPS2, of: respect for persons, concern for welfare, and justice. The application of these core principles is intended to maintain balance between the necessary protection of participants and the legitimate requirements of research.

REB APPLICATIONS, Renewals, Amendments, and Final Reports

You can submit an application, renewal, amendment, or final report by logging into the Romeo Research Portal through MyInfo. For LU faculty, staff, and students, use your myInfo username and password.  Login here for those external to Lakehead University.

Applications to the REB are accepted at anytime.  Application deemed of minimal risk (as defined by the TCPS2, Article 2.9) are reviewed by a delegated committee of the REB with a turnaround time of approximately 3 weeks.  Applications deemed greater than minimal risk are reviewed at monthly face-to-face REB meetings.  Applicants should expect up to a 6 week turnaround time.

If you have any questions regarding the Romeo Research Portal, please contact the Office of Research Services at research@lakeheadu.ca or 807-343-8010 ext 8934.