We are pleased to announce the launch of a new suite of three online courses on the ethics of research involving human participants, developed by UKRIO in partnership with the University of Suffolk. The University of Bath were involved in the development of the materials by providing expert review.
These courses are designed to support researchers, both staff and students, in understanding ethical best practice and navigating the challenges of conducting research with human participants.
Who needs to complete the training?
Completion of the full training suite is mandatory for:
- Members of University Research Ethics Committees
- Departmental Research Ethics Officers (DREOs)
Completion is strongly encouraged for:
- Departmental Ethics Reviewers
- Supervisors and Second Readers
- All research-active staff and students at Bath
Places are unlimited until May 2026; after this date, availability may be restricted. Updates will be provided on this page.
Course 1 - The ethics of research involving human participants: an introduction: Principles and practice of research ethics, including ethical standards, their importance, and guidance from research conception to dissemination. Length: 3-4 hours
Course 2 - Navigating the complexity, risks, and benefits of emotionally challenging or sensitive research: Specialised guidance on emotionally challenging research, potential risks and benefits, context, perspective, and practical considerations. Length: 1 hour
Course 3 - Research with children and young people: Focuses on the unique responsibilities and ethical considerations when working with younger participants. Length: 1 hour
Accessing the courses
You must log in using your University of Bath email address and password.
Each course includes interactive activities, quizzes, and practical resources to support your learning. A downloadable workbook is available for recording responses to reflective tasks.
At the end of each course, you will complete a quiz to assess your learning. A score of 80% or higher is required to pass, and you may retake the quiz as many times as needed. Successful completion generates a personalised downloadable certificate.
UKRIO provides additional guidance on accessing and navigating the courses. Please note that the University of Bath is using the ‘URL’ delivery method.