The programme for the conference is now available!

The theme of the biennial research ethics and governance conference is internet mediated research (IMR).

To book your place at the conference please visit Eventbrite.

In its guidance document the British Psychological Society (BPS) defines IMR as any research involving the remote acquisition of data from or about human participants using the internet and its associated technologies. New and emerging technologies present increasingly exciting opportunities for researchers however these opportunities come with challenging ethical issues.  The BPS identifies some of these issues including: the public-private domain distinction online; confidentiality and security of online data; procedures for obtaining valid consent; procedures for ensuring withdrawal rights and debriefing; levels of researcher control; and implications for scientific value and potential harm. The internet, particularly social media, provides growing opportunities for researchers; a ready source of data, recruitment and research engagement.  Data can be easily accessible – does the fact that they can be in the public domain mean that no ethical issues arise? Is it ethical to engage with participants in action research using social media? Is covert engagement ever ethical? The conference will address these, and many more similarly interesting questions.

Programme for the Day

 09:00      Registration                                                                                          Portland Atrium

              Morning Session – Plenary

09:30      Opening Remarks                                                                                   Portland LT 1.74

Professor Pal Ahluwalia, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation)

9:35       Ethical challenges in online research: experiences from the frontline

Dr Lisa Suguira, ICJS, University of Portsmouth

10.15      Where next for #Social Ethics

Harry Evans, Research Analyst, Social Research Institute Ipsos MORI,

11.15      Refreshments

11:45      Title (tba)

Dr James Parry CEO UK Research Integrity Office

12.20      Summing Up

David Carpenter, University Ethics Adviser

12.30      Networking Lunch

Afternoon Session – Workshops

13:30      Workshops chaired by UoP Faculty Ethics Committee Chairs                    

Each workshop will look at a case study of an ethics application reflecting the challenges of Internet Mediated Research.

Faculty                                         Facilitator(s)

Business School                           Dr Peter Scott with Dr Eunyoung Oh

Creative and Cultural Industries      Vaughan Powell

Humanities                                    Dr Jane Winstone

Science                                        Dr Jim House

Technology                                   Dr John Williams

15:00      Close

To book your place at the conference please visit Eventbrite.

To find out more about Research Ethics and Governance at the University of Portsmouth please visit our website.