Category: Law

Ethics Updates to WREM system

Western Research Ethics Management (WREM) updates

Over the Christmas holidays the Office of Human Research Ethics updated a series of forms within WREM, which will become active on January 24, 2017. They include Non-Medical Research Ethics Board (NMREB) initial and amendment forms, continuing ethics review and study closure forms.

When you log in to WREM you will notice the following message appear in the Work Area at the top of your screen: “Warning: The project owner must update your project in order to submit this form.”

The message appears only when there has been an update to the application form(s). The form owner will need to accept the update prior to a) submitting an application and/or b) completing an application you have been working on when the message appeared.

Are there any implications to updating the form(s)?
Consider these three scenarios:
1) The form has not been submitted, and is still unlocked – Updating the project will have no effect, except any changes in the form you are completing will be updated.
2) The form has not been submitted, but the form has been locked (either by a signature request, or by a signature being completed) – Updating the project will break these signatures or signature requests. Any requests will need to be remade, and any existing signatures will need to be re-given, because they will have been applied to an old version of the form.
3) The form has been signed and submitted – Updating the project will have no effect on any submitted forms.

What updates have been done?
1. Administrative updates (i.e., revising, addition and removal of questions, addition of help text, etc.)

To access WREM training material and FAQs please visit the website and WREM (click Western University’s REB to access the WREM site).

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to any member of the Research Ethics team.

WREM-Memo-updated application Jan 19 2018.pdf

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SSHRC Launches Talent Achievement Report

SSHRC has launched the Talent Achievement Report, a new, more user-friendly end-of-award electronic report that replaces the existing final report used by SSHRC fellowship and scholarship award holders. Similar to the Insight, Connection and Partnership Achievement Reports, this new report will improve SSHRC’s capacity to collect and measure outcomes and impacts of funded activities and reduce the administrative burden for award recipients. The information provided in these reports is of great value to SSHRC as it is a vital input to planning and strategy setting.

The new Talent Achievement Report is currently available to all doctoral and postdoctoral award recipients on SSHRC’s website. It is in a survey format on Fluidsurveys, a secure web platform, and must be submitted within six months of the end of the scholarship/fellowship period. More detailed information related to the Talent Achievement Report is available on SSHRC’s website.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact fellowships@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca.

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Human Research Ethics – New Educational Resources for Participants

The Panel on Research Ethics has announced a new set of educational resources to assist people who are participating in research or are considering joining a research study. This material offers information about how the ethics guidance in the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct of Research Involving Humans (TCPS) provides protection for research participants. It is intended for a broad audience.

The brochure “Taking Part in Research” provides basic information online and in print about participation in research.

“Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Participants” provides more specific information on topics such as privacy, risks and benefits, and consent, based on TCPS guidance.

These new resources are available online for the general public. Researchers are encouraged to use them to enhance their communication when recruiting participants, or during the course of study. Research ethics boards and institutions can use the resources in their educational efforts and in raising public awareness about the ethics of research involving humans.

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Post-Doc Fellowship – Diversity & Democracy – Montreal, Québec

The Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Diversity and Democracy (CRIDAQ) at Université du Québec à Montréal is offering a postdoctoral fellowship for the 2018-2019 academic year ($35,000 gross salary) – description in English. The fellowship must be used to carry out a project related to the CRIDAQ research themes in one of the four CRIDAQ antennae (UQAM, Université Laval, Université de Montréal, Concordia).

The application deadline is Jan. 15, 2018.

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Statistical Assistant Position

Western’s Statistics Canada Research Data Centre is looking to hire a part-time statistical assistant.

Salary: approximately $20/hour; fixed schedule 9 hours per week and variable schedule as needed
Language requirement: English essential
Job description
– Maintaining the integrity of the security systems
– Preparation and review of contracts
– Maintenance of administrative databases
– Administrative duties (preparing reports, correspondence with users, ordering supplies, etc.)
– Provide basic assistance on the use of the computer network and statistical software
– Other computer and administrative tasks as assigned
Qualifications
– Completed Bachelor’s degree in social sciences or sciences (such as business, economics, demography, geography, psychology, sociology, statistics, epidemiology, biostatistics or a related field)
– Experience using Word and Excel
– Experience in the use of statistical software packages: SAS, SPSS, and STATA
– Ability to be detail-oriented
– Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
Assets
-Masters or PhD
-Experience in the processing and analysis of microdata from Statistics Canada social surveys
-Experience with Windows operating system (Windows 7 or newer), MS Access
-Knowledge of the major social surveys or administrative data sources maintained by Statistics Canada, or comparable surveys or administrative data.
Personal suitability: Client Service Orientation, Initiative, Reliability, Thoroughness, Judgement
Security clearance: Enhanced Reliability Check is a condition for employment
Preference given to Canadian citizens and Permanent residents of Canada. Please indicate your citizenship status on your cover letter and/or resume.
Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining how your education and experience relate to the position to rdc@uwo.ca by December 15, 2017.
Successful candidates will be contacted for an interview.
For any further questions contact Nathalie Goodwin at nathalie.goodwin@uwo.ca or Glenda Babe at gbabe@uwo.ca.

Federal Government Positions

The federal government is seeking to create a pool of qualified candidates for positions of Analyst / Research Advisor / Economist (at two levels, EC04 and EC05) for vacancies that may arise in Gatineau, Québec and other locations across Canada. While successful candidates may be hired to work in labour market research, managers from other directorates within ESDC may draw from the pool for other research or analysis positions.

Qualification required: Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in economics, sociology or statistics.

Closing Date: December 15, 2017

Links to more information:
EC04 https://emploisfp-psjobs.cfp-psc.gc.ca/psrs-srfp/applicant/page1800?poster=1106147&toggleLanguage=en

EC05 https://emploisfp-psjobs.cfp-psc.gc.ca/psrs-srfp/applicant/page1800?poster=1106139&toggleLanguage=en

René Maillet is available to discuss the processes and potential jobs at: Tel: 819-654-3433 or Email: NC-RECRUTEMENT_IMT-LMI_RECRUITMENT-GD@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

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Western Research Ethics Management System (WREM) – Updates

The Office of Human Research Ethics has updated a series of forms within WREM, which will become active on December 11, 2017. They include Health Sciences Research Ethics Board (REB) and Non-Medical REB initial and amendment forms, continuing ethics review and study closure forms.

When you log in to WREM you will notice the following message appear in the Work Area at the top of your screen: “Warning: The project owner must update your project in order to submit this form.”

The message appears only when there has been an update to the application form(s). The form owner will need to accept the update prior to a) submitting an application and/or b) completing an application you have been working on when the message appeared.

Are there any implications to updating the form(s)?

Consider these three scenarios:
1) The form has not been submitted, and is still unlocked – Updating the project will have no effect, except any changes in the form you are completing will be updated.
2) The form has not been submitted, but the form has been locked (either by a signature request, or by a signature being completed) – Updating the project will break these signatures or signature requests. Any requests will need to be remade, and any existing signatures will need to be re-given, because they will have been applied to an old version of the form.
3) The form has been signed and submitted – Updating the project will have no effect on any submitted forms.

What updates have been done?

1. The most important update is the PI can delegate a study team member to submit a re-submission (i.e., response to REB recommendations). The PI must still submit all initial application forms, but may choose to sign-off electronically on all re-submissions or may delegate this task to another qualified individual. NOTE: The PI is still fully responsible for the study’s scientific and ethical conduct. The REB recommends keeping a log of to whom the PI has delegated authority to submit re-submission forms.
2. Administrative updates (i.e., revising, addition and removal of questions, addition of help text, etc.)

To access WREM training material and FAQs please visit the website and WREM (click Western University’s REB to access the WREM site).

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to any member of the Research Ethics team.

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SSHRC Storytellers

SSHRC challenges postsecondary students to show Canadians how social sciences and humanities research is affecting our lives, our world and our future prosperity. Enter the SSHRC Storytellers contest for a chance to win $3,000 and a spot in an exclusive research communications master class at the 2018 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences in Regina.

Submission period: Contestants can submit entries as of January 8, 2018, at 10 a.m. (eastern), until the contest closes on January 31, 2018, at 5 p.m. (eastern).

Eligibility: At the time of entry, you must be a Canadian resident, 19 years of age or older, enrolled at a Canadian postsecondary institution, and in compliance with the contest rules and regulations.

Submission requirements: Your submission must be an original work—video, audio, text or infographic—featuring SSHRC-funded research carried out at the institution at which you are enrolled at the time of submission. Your submission must not exceed three minutes in length for video or audio, or 300 words for text or infographic (and 99 megabytes for all files).

More information…

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New Mitacs Accelerate Fellowship

Mitacs has launched a new opportunity for graduate students. The Mitacs Accelerate Fellowship provides long-term funding for a significant part of graduate degree programs:

  • Master’s students can complete an 18-month project (minimum $30,000 stipend)
  • PhD students can complete a three-year project (minimum $72,000 stipend)

The Fellowship also offers national professional development training that helps interns gain in-demand career skills and ensure the success of their projects.

Fellowships can form new Accelerate projects or be added to existing ones, and applications are accepted any time.

The Mitacs Accelerate program requires matching funding from a partner outside of the university for research of benefit to the partner. Your faculty advisor must be involved as your supervisor for this program.

For more information or to start an application, contact Western’s Mitacs representative, Erin Azzopardi  | 519.280.5655 | eazzopardi@mitacs.ca.

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