The Ethics Review Committee (ERC)

The Ethics Review Committee (ERC) is an essential body established by the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka (SUSL) to ensure that all research involving human participants, animal subjects and sensitive data are conducted ethically, responsibly, and with respect for human / animal dignity and rights. Its role is to safeguard the welfare, privacy, and autonomy of participants while supporting researchers in adhering to ethical standards across diverse fields of research.

The branches of research ethics refer to the specific thematic or disciplinary areas within the broader field of research ethics. These branches help address the unique ethical issues and standards relevant to different types of research and contexts. Given the multidisciplinary nature of contemporary research, the ERC at SUSL provides ethical clearance for studies under nine (09) broad fields of study.

🔬 Nine broad fields of ethical review

Field 01

Medicine

Ensuring participant safety, informed consent, and ethical compliance in clinical and biomedical research; human health, clinical trials, biomedical interventions, public health, and community-based research.

Key concerns: informed consent, risk‑benefit analysis, clinical trial ethics, vulnerable populations, regulatory compliance. Also animal research: humane treatment, 3Rs, ethical justification, animal welfare laws.

Field 02

Social Sciences & Humanities

Cultural sensitivity, confidentiality, protection of vulnerable populations. Applies to psychology, sociology, anthropology, education, languages, and school/university settings.

Key concerns: privacy, deception, cultural sensitivity, participant autonomy, ethics of observational/qualitative research; protection of minors, parental consent, power dynamics.

Field 03

Management

Ethical considerations in organizational research, stakeholder engagement, and data handling. Focus on organizational behavior, economics, marketing, and leadership.

Key concerns: corporate confidentiality, informed consent in organizations, ethical treatment of employees and clients.

Field 04

Agricultural Sciences

Community participation, sustainability, ethical treatment of human and ecological systems. Research impacting ecosystems, food systems, natural resources, rural communities.

Key concerns: sustainability, biodiversity, indigenous knowledge, fair benefit‑sharing. Animal research: humane treatment, 3Rs, ethical justification, animal welfare laws.

Field 05

Applied & Natural Sciences

Assessing societal impacts, safety risks, ethical applications of technological innovation; integrity in environmental studies, conservation, field‑based research; responsible innovation.

Includes genetic and genomic research ethics; minimizing harm in experimental and technological research.

Field 06

Technology & Innovation

Research involving new technologies (AI, robotics, biotechnology). Focus on dual‑use risks, long‑term impacts, fairness, accountability, and ethical design.

Key concerns: dual‑use dilemmas, transparency, societal impact, responsible innovation.

Field 07

Geomatics

Ethical use of geospatial data, privacy concerns, and impacts on communities and environments.

Key concerns: location privacy, data sovereignty, community consent, environmental impact.

Field 08

Computing

AI, data privacy, cybersecurity, algorithmic fairness. Collection, storage, sharing, and use of data in research.

Key concerns: data privacy, confidentiality, security, data ownership, responsible AI/algorithmic ethics.

Field 09

Indigenous Knowledge & Community Studies

Participant safety, informed consent, and ethical compliance in research related to indigenous communities.

Respect for collective rights, cultural heritage, and community protocols.

Composition and approach: The ERC is composed of experts from the above multiple disciplines, including researchers and community representatives. This diversity ensures thorough and balanced reviews that consider both scientific merit and ethical implications. These fields often overlap, and many research projects require navigating ethical concerns across multiple domains. The Ethics Review Committee understands and evaluates ethical considerations across all relevant branches.

By fostering an institutional culture of ethical responsibility, the ERC contributes to the credibility, transparency, and social value of research. It also reinforces public trust in academic and scientific endeavors, ensuring that research outcomes are both ethically sound and socially beneficial.

📋 Key areas of research ethics

The foundational principles and concerns that guide responsible and ethical conduct in research, particularly involving human and animal participants.

1. Informed Consent

Participants fully informed about nature, purpose, procedures, risks, benefits.
Voluntary consent, no coercion; right to withdraw at any time.

2. Confidentiality & Privacy

Protect personal and sensitive data.
Anonymize or secure storage; restricted access.

3. Risk‑Benefit Analysis

Minimize and justify physical, psychological, social, legal risks.
No unnecessary harm or stress.

4. Respect for Persons / Subjects

Dignity and autonomy for all individuals.
Special care for vulnerable human populations and animals.

5. Justice & Equity

Fair distribution of benefits and burdens.
No unfair exclusion or disproportionate risk.

6. Scientific Integrity & Honesty

Truthful conduct and reporting.
No fabrication, falsification, plagiarism.

7. Conflict of Interest

Disclose personal, financial, professional interests.
Manage transparently and ethically.

8. Respect for Cultural & Social Values

Sensitivity to cultural, religious, social norms.
Consider local customs in design and implementation.

9. Responsible Use of Findings

Communicate accurately; avoid misuse.
Prevent harmful applications or misinterpretation.

10. Ethical Oversight & Review

All human‑participant research reviewed and approved by ERC.
Continuous monitoring for long‑term or high‑risk studies.