Research Integrity, Compliance, & Ethics
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
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.
Define Funding
There are currently no GW policies that directly impact research at this early stage in the grant life cycle.
Proposal Development & Submission
Allegations of Research Misconduct
Categorization of External Funding
Classified Research - GW's stance on conducting classified research
Compliance Regarding Select Agents and Pathogens
Compliance with Laws when Conducting University Activities Overseas
Conflict of Interest for Non-Faculty Employees
Conflicts of Interest & Commitment for Faculty and Investigators
Direct Charging of Administrative Costs Associated with Sponsored Projects
FCOI Supplemental Disclosure Form
Internal Questionnaire Administration
Personal Information and Privacy Policy
Signing of Contracts and Agreements - describes which roles at the university have signing authority
Award Negotiation & 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.
Award Set-Up
Administrative Establishment - allows temporary set up of an award before final execution of award documents
Award Administration & Management
Allegations of Research Misconduct
Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control
Chemical Hygiene (Laboratory Safety)
Compliance Regarding Select Agents and Pathogens
Compliance with Laws when Conducting University Activities Overseas
Conflict of Interest for Non-Faculty Employees
Cost Sharing on Sponsored Projects
Cost Transfers on Sponsored Projects
Conflicts of Interest & Commitment for Faculty and Investigators
Direct Charging of Administrative Costs Associated with Sponsored Projects
Personal Information and Privacy Policy
Public Access to NIH-Funded Publications
Media - outlines best practice for engaging with the media
Signing of Contracts and Agreements
Award Closeout
Cost Transfers on Sponsored Projects
Liquidating Funds - disencumbering purchase orders
Research Integrity
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.
SPH Policies
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
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!
Ethics & COVID-19: Introduction
Held April 14, 2020
Skip to 2:15 mark for start.
Link: Webinar 1 - Introduction
Ethics & COVID-19: Clinical Ethics
Held April 28, 2020
Ethics & COVID-19: Scarce Resource Allocation
Held May 12, 2020
Ethics & COVID-19: Maternal and Child Health
Held May 26, 2020
Ethics & COVID-19: Research Ethics
Held June 9, 2020
Ethics & COVID-19: Vaccine Ethics (part 1)
Held June 23, 2020
Ethics & COVID-19: Ethnic and Racial Disparity
Held July 7, 2020
Ethics & COVID-19: Domestic and Family Violence
Held July 21, 2020
Ethics & COVID-19: Digital Privacy
Held August 4, 2020
Ethics & COVID-19: International Context
Held August 18, 2020
Ethics & COVID-19: Refugee Populations
Held September 1, 2020
Ethics & COVID-19: Regional Perspectives - East Asia
Held September 15, 2020
Ethics & COVID-19: Publication Ethics
Held September 29, 2020
Ethics & COVID-19: Adolescent Health
Held October 13, 2020
Ethics & COVID-19: Regional Perspective - South Asia
Held October 27, 2020
Ethics & COVID-19: Mental Health
Held November 10, 2020
Ethics & COVID-19: Regional Perspectives - West Africa
Held November 24, 2020
Ethics and COVID-19: Islam & Judaism
Held December 8, 2020
Ethics and COVID-19: Vaccine Ethics (Part 2)
Held January 26, 2021
Ethics and COVID-19: Christianity & Buddhism
Held February 23, 2021
Ethics and COVID-19: Vaccine Ethics (Part 3 - Human Challenge Trials)
Held March 30, 2021
Link: Webinar 21 - Vaccine Ethics (Part 3 - Human Challenge Trials)
Ethics and COVID-19: Regional Perspectives - Africa
Held April 20, 2021
Ethics and COVID-19: Gender & COVID-19
Held May 25, 2021
Ethics and COVID-19: Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination for Healthcare Personnel
Held July 27, 2021
Link: Webinar 24 - Mandatory Covid-19 Vaccination for Healthcare Personnel
Ethics and COVID-19: Vaccine Misinformation
Held October 26, 2021
Ethics and COVID-19: Global Vaccine Equity
Held November 30, 2021
Ethics and COVID-19: Omicron and Quarantine Ethics
Held January 25, 2022
Ethics and COVID-19: Strategic Lessons from COVID19 for Global Health
Held March 1,2022
Ethics and COVID-19: Regional Perspective - Latin America
Held April 5,2022
Research Guidance & Resources
FCOI Supplemental Disclosure Form
Single PI for Multi-department Awards
Graduate Assistants (GA, GRA) and Fellowships Policy
Principal Investigator Eligibility Exception Request