Mission

The mission of the Research Integrity, Compliance, and Ethics (RICE) unit is to promote integrity in research; compliance with relevant laws and policies; and adherence to the highest ethical standards in research conducted by all investigators affiliated to SPH. RICE strives to improve knowledge and practice on Research integrity, compliance, and ethics within SPH through information, training workshops, seminars and other ways. RICE continues to work on new and innovative tools and strategies for compliance in ongoing research.

This unit manages the ethics and compliance functions at GWSPH for GW. It is instrumental to the development of regulatory and ethics related processes at GWSPH. This unit reviews all research related standard operating procedures, works to strengthen responsible conduct of research, and develops the internal capacity for ethics review within GWSPH. The RICE Unit is also responsible for oversight of student projects including coordinating the submission portal.

This page will highlight key policies and guidances all PIs, research staff, and administrators should be aware of; Student Ethics activities; and other activities that the RICE unit is responsible for.

Questions: GWSPHResearch@gwu.edu

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Policies & Guidance

GW UNIVERSITY POLICIES

The following categories include relevant GW University policies that impact research. Policies are categorized by when a researcher may need to reference a policy during the sponsored projects lifecycle. Certain policies may be duplicated as they pertain to multiple phases of the lifecycle.

Pre-Award

The pre-award phase of the sponsored projects lifecycle includes proposal development and submission followed by award negotiation and acceptance.

Post-Award

The post award phase of the sponsored projects lifecycle includes award set-up, award administration and management, and award closeout. Issues of research integrity generally occur during post-award administration and a separate section is included to address the relevant policies.

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MILKEN INSTITUTE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH POLICIES

The following policies are internal to the Milken Institute School of Public Health and may be more specific than the University counterpart.

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RICE Initiatives

SUPPORT FOR SPH STUDENT RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

ORE is responsible for oversight of student projects to ensure compliance with federal regulations, GWU policies concerning human research protections and ethical standards. In order to facilitate this, ORE has developed a portal that SPH students should use in submitting their project proposals to ORE for review and clearance. All student projects outside of activities limited to the classroom need to be entered into the portal. This includes CE projects, practicum, field lab placements, independent studies and other projects for school credit. The oversight process allows the Dean's Office of Research Excellence (ORE) to support students' educational journey while ensuring compliance with GWU policies. It also helps ORE keep track of the great work our students are doing.

In order to ensure compliance with federal regulations and GWU policies concerning human research protections, SPH students may not begin their projects until they have received a determination by email from ORE that they are approved to do so. Students should submit their project proposals to ORE through the Student Project Oversight Portal. ORE has prepared a Guidance Document for Faculty Advisors that provides detailed information on how faculty advisors should assist their students in navigating the processes. ORE has also prepared a Guidance Document for students that provides detailed instructions that students should follow in preparing for and submitting their proposals through the portal. ORE has exempted certain types of projects from being submitted through the portal. ORE issues blanket determinations (memos) on such activities and these memos can be obtained by emailing GWSPHResearch@gwu.edu. Any questions regarding oversight of student projects should also be addressed to GWSPHResearch@gwu.edu.
 

In order to ensure compliance with federal regulations and GWU policies concerning human research protections, you may not begin your project until you have received a determination by email from ORE that you are approved to do so.

Questions: GWSPHResearch@gwu.edu

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BIOETHICS INTEREST GROUP (BIG)

The Bioethics Interest Group is tasked with bringing together individuals who can further promote discourse on ethical decision-making and practice in the context of public health. BIG is comprised of students, faculty, and staff from all SPH departments. It is co-chaired by Adnan Hyder and Melissa Goldstein.

The BIG at SPH's main objectives are:

• To facilitate discussion, debate, and active discourse on topics of interest in ethics in the practice, research, policies, and management of health issues.
• To assist members and the SPH community to better understand ethics and its practical application in public health practice and decision-making.
• To develop learning materials and resources on individual and public health ethics for SPH faculty, staff, and students.

For more information: Paul Ndebele, Secretary; pndebele@gwu.edu

Ethics & COVID-19: A Webinar Series 2020-2022

COVID-19 raised a plethora of ethical issues - from prevention and containment, to cure and management. Listen to leading experts discuss these issues in a Bioethics Interest Group (BIG) webinar series focused on COVID-19 ethical considerations. Hosted by the Office of Research Excellence and moderated by Adnan Hyder, Senior Associate Dean for Research, these webinars hosted ethics experts from GW, the United States, and abroad to discuss key ethical dilemmas and principles precipitated by the pandemic. Participants were able to ask questions brought about during an unprecedented crisis.

Attended by faculty, staff, students, alumni, and public health professionals, this webinar series laid the foundations for raising and discussing ethical concerns in an e-hall format. 

Upcoming Webinars:

Ethics and Public Health a Webinar Series 2023-current:  Coming soon!

Past Webinars

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Research Guidance & Resources

FCOI Supplemental Disclosure Form

Single PI for Multi-department Awards

Graduate Assistants (GA, GRA) and Fellowships Policy

Cost Share Approvals

Principal Investigator Eligibility Exception Request

 

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