Research Ethics

Behavioural Research Ethics Board

In February 2009, the Okanagan Campus Behavioural Research Ethics Board (BREB) commenced operations. The BREB is responsible for reviewing research that involves human subjects in procedures that require potential invasions of privacy (such as participation in questionnaires, interviews, observation, data linkage, secondary use of data, deception, testing, video and audio taping).

Any research or study conducted at UBC’s Okanagan campus facilities or undertaken by persons connected to the University involving human subjects must be reviewed and approved by the BREB. Researchers will be able to access ethics applications through the Researcher Information Services (RISe) website.

UBC Research Ethics Board – Review During Publicly Declared Emergencies

For important information on behavioural research please see the bulletin prepared by the Behavioral Research Ethics Board and BREB Okanagan.

For UBC Behavioural Guidance around conducting research  during the COVID-19 research restrictions, please see the BREB webpage. This includes new information about resuming in-person research.

For information on the research ethics review during emergencies, please see the Standard Operating Procedure, SOP 501.

More information is also available at: https://research.ubc.ca/COVID-19-FAQs.

Okanagan Campus BREB Membership

• Carolyn Szostak, Chair
• Wendy Klassen, Associate Chair
• Carlos Teixeira
• Eric Li
• John-Tyler Binfet
• Sarah Dow-Fleisner
• Madeline Donald, Student Representative
• Jeremy Burgess, Alternate Legal Representative
• Henry Mainemer, Community Member
• Taryn Moore, Alternate Community Member; Legal Representative

Meeting Dates & Application Deadlines

Full Board (non-expedited) review proposals only.

• Submit your application in RISe by midnight on the specified deadline date in order to have your application reviewed at the corresponding meeting.
• Meeting and deadline dates may change; review often.
• Remember that your application will first go to your department head for review and approval; this may add extra time to your submission. It is suggested that you submit your application at least THREE days before the deadline to allow for department review and approval.
• Proposals that meet the criteria for minimal risk qualify for expedited review and are reviewed on an ongoing basis; there are no deadlines for expedited reviews.

2021 Dates