Research governance and ethics resources repository

The research governance frameworks and associated documentation below have kindly been shared by local authorities. You may find these useful examples to refer to if you are considering developing or updating a research governance framework or process within your organisation.  

Each local authority adopts its own approach to research governance, and processes and procedures naturally vary across organisations. We do not endorse one particular approach over another and would be happy to discuss the value of different methodologies.  

We are not responsible for the content of the documents shared by local authorities. Please note that these documents may be updated at the source periodically. We recommend also visiting each local authority’s research governance webpage to ensure you have the most current information.

If you have any questions about the research governance documentation shared on this page, please contact NIHR.RSS.PublicHealth@newcastle.ac.uk 

The following local authorities have kindly given us permission to share their research governance documents.

A few key features to look out for: 

The City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council research approval process reviews requests to undertake research to identify challenges and opportunities to ensure that research projects are robust, transparent, and justified. It will also create the opportunity to identify where council officers could be costed into research bids. 

The Coventry HDRC research governance framework highlights developing and maintaining a research culture of excellence within the council and discusses about the benefits of this. 

Within the Cumberland Council document, you’ll find a very useful reference list at the end of the document. The risk assessment tool is also very helpful. 

Shropshire Council include a comprehensive Research Governance Checklist within their documentation, which will help prompt staff to ensure they have included all the necessary paperwork and speed up the process.  

The South Gloucestershire documentation includes some really helpful templates such as participant information sheets and example consent forms. 

The City of Wolverhampton Council document offers a very comprehensive flowchart to help outline the full process of applying and obtaining research governance approval. 

The HDRC Doncaster research governance documentation includes a very comprehensive Data Protection Impact Assessment form which includes a section for projects involving artificial intelligence.

The Essex County Council research governance documentation includes a useful guide to equality, diversity and inclusion and discusses the importance of ensuring that the public has equitable access to be involved in and take part in research, as participants or shaping the research.

Watch this space

Our plan is to include more documents like these in time, thank you to the local authorities who have granted permission for us to share these resources. 

Please note that these documents may be updated at the source periodically. We recommend also visiting each local authority’s research governance webpage to ensure you have the most current information.