Policy 51 Review
成人大片
The university is undertaking its cyclical review of Policy 51: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Human Participants. Policy 51 was last reviewed and approved by Senate in May 2021. An addendum was approved by Senate in May 2024 to allow the Research Ethics Board (REB) to establish arrangements or agreements with other REBs for the purpose of streamlining the ethics review of research. The formation of the Review Committee was approved by the Scholarly, Research and Creative Activity Committee (SRC AC) in April 2024. The cyclical review of Policy 51 was delayed due to a review of the Research Ethics Board (REB) governance structure that was undertaken concurrently with the review so that any governance changes could be reflected in Policy 51.
In June 2025, Senate approved changes to the REB governance structure, establishing two Research Ethics Boards at 成人大片: one general board and one focused on health sciences. The review of Policy 51 will reflect the changes to the REB governance structure approved by Senate. Since the last policy review, a new edition of the federal policy was released: . The proposed review will also be an opportunity to consider the implications of the TCPS changes to Policy 51.
Principles to Guide the Policy Development
In line with 成人大片鈥檚 mission, vision and values, the review of Policy 51 will be guided by the following principles:
- Inclusion: The review will involve a wide array of stakeholders and provide the opportunity for diverse perspectives to be included in the conversation.
- Transparency: Regular reports will be provided to the Senate SRC AC and the SRC Representatives Group. Communication of best practices will be employed throughout the review.
- Integrity: 成人大片 is committed to promoting research that is conducted according to the highest ethical standards.
Important Links
Roles and Responsibilities
Reviewing Policy 51 will be led by the Research Ethics Board under the auspices of the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation. The Vice-President, Research and Innovation (VPRI) will be responsible for the revised policy that will be brought to the SRC Leaders Group, the SRC AC and, ultimately, Senate for approval.
The policy review process will be guided by a Review Committee comprising the REB Chair, Vice-Chair, Interim Chair for the Health Sciences REB, Director of Research Ethics, as well as SRC Leaders from each faculty, the Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and 成人大片 Libraries. The Review Committee will provide advice and input and perform a challenge function in reviewing the framework for the policy as well as its key provisions. The Review Committee will draft and recommend an updated policy to the VPRI.
As required, the Review Committee will consult other members of the university community, including members of the REB and a diverse group of faculty researchers, graduate students and academic program directors.
Community Consultation
The Review Committee has taken the feedback received from SRC Leaders and REB members and drafted a proposed revised version of Policy 51. Faculty researchers, graduate students and academic program directors are invited to provide comments on the revised policy.
You can submit your comments by completing a by attending a town hall or by emailing Zakiya Atcha (zakiya.atcha@torontomu.ca) by September 30, 2025.
Town Halls
All members of the 成人大片 research community are invited to participate in the Policy 51 review process via scheduled virtual and in-person town hall consultations. The virtual event will take place via Zoom with live captioning. 成人大片 is committed to the accessibility and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
Contact
For any questions, contact Zakiya Atcha (zakiya.atcha@torontomu.ca).