Ensuring high ethical standards in our research
Undertaking an ethics review of individual research projects ensures measures are put in place to protect research participants and researchers throughout the research process.
An ethical review process asks the organisation or person leading a research project to consider all the practical steps they will put in place to be certain that the data, rights, and wellbeing of both research participants and researchers are protected.
Traditionally, ethics reviews are conducted by universities and research institutions. However, these processes may not always be attuned to the specific ethical dilemmas and challenges that can arise in community research. As a network, we recognised the need to have a bespoke review process that covered the commonly recognised ethical principles of informed consent, anonymity, confidentiality but that also went beyond this to include the principles outlined in our research charter.
The LCRN Ethics Review Process
Our Ethics Review Process aims to ensure that research projects in Lambeth are guided by the needs and priorities of communities and the community-based organisations that serve them; directly engage and meaningfully involve community members throughout the research process; and lead to change for the communities involved through action and influencing.
The framework has been developed in collaboration with community members and an academic consultant from King’s College London’s Inspiring Ethics group. You can read more about how we developed the framework here.
Benefits of applying for LCRN ethical approval:
- Access a bespoke ethics framework, developed with community members and tailored to community-led research.
- Gain support to develop your research project so it is in line with community led principles.
- Gain recognition for your project and that it has reached the ethical standards of the network.
Voluntary and community organisations, academics and external organisations can apply for ethical approval from the LCRN Steering Group. Find out more about our Ethics Review Process and how to apply below.