Call for community member for Research Ethics Board | MyNews | Seneca Students

The Seneca Polytechnic Research Ethics Board (REB) is seeking a community member to serve a three-year term starting immediately or in January 2027.

Please note: This is a volunteer position.

The REB oversees applications for research involving human participants, ensuring projects meet ethics standards outlined by federal research funding agencies (TCPS 2). As a community member, you will be responsible for reviewing an average of one to two minimal risk applications per month, as well as any applications deemed to be above minimal risk as a collective group during the monthly REB meeting. Applications requiring full Board review will be sent to members 10 days prior to the meeting date.

Who we are looking for

The community member should not be affiliated with Seneca. In accordance with the 2nd edition of the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2), “The community member requirement is essential to help broaden the perspective and value base of the REB, and thus advances dialogue with, and accountability to, relevant communities.” The primary role of the community member is to reflect the perspective of the research participant. Accordingly, it is highly desirable that applicants under this category be former research participants.

Responsibilities

In addition to reviewing ethics applications, all REB members are expected to attend monthly REB meetings and vote on the panel for decisions made by the board. Seneca's REB meets monthly throughout the fall and winter terms via MS Teams, with meetings currently scheduled for the second Thursday of each month from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Application and Deadline

Applicants should submit the following documents:

• curriculum vitae
• cover letter quoting the membership category and outlining relevant background, experience and expertise

Please submit all materials by Friday, Oct. 23, 2026 to reb@senecapolytechnic.ca. Please use the subject heading “Potential REB Community Member”.