Research Ethics

University research is governed by policies and practices that ensure the protection of research participants, researchers (faculty, students and staff members), the university and the public. These policies and practices cover research involving humans, the use of animals, controlled goods and hazardous materials, among others.
Please note that research may not begin before all university approvals/certifications, institutional requirements or governmental authorizations are obtained.
Individual researchers, in addition to being governed by internal policies and procedures, may be governed by external ethical guidelines imposed by professional associations such as the Canadian Psychological Association or the Canadian College of Physicians and Surgeons, as well as the guidelines of Canadian and other regulatory agencies, such as the Health Protection Branch of Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
All funded or unfunded research involving humans, animals or controlled goods undertaken at Ryerson University facilities and conducted by Ryerson University faculty, students and staff is subject to review and approval.
Due to the ongoing circumstances related to COVID-19, both the REB open office hours and biweekly office hours are currently suspended until further notice. However, the REB is still available virtually to answer any questions you may have regarding your research as it relates to research ethics.
REB Open Office Hours
Every Thursday - 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Due to the pandemic, the REB will now be hosting virtual office hours via Zoom. To attend, please click on the following link:
Join Zoom Meeting, opens in new window
Meeting ID: 949 1974 0301
Please drop in if you have any questions. No appointment necessary.
Contacts
Office of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation
1 Dundas Street West, 11th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M5G 1Z3
Asher Alkoby, LL.B., LL.M., S.J.D.
Chair, Ryerson University Research Ethics Board
416-979-5000 ext. 552491
aalkoby@ryerson.ca
rebchair@ryerson.ca
Todd Girard, PhD
Vice-Chair, Ryerson University Research Ethics Board
416-979-5000 ext. 552646
todd.girard@ryerson.ca
Zakiya Atcha, MSW
Research Ethics Manager
(Ethics, Animal Care, Controlled Goods, Undergraduate Ethics)
416-979-5000 ext. 554841
zakiya.atcha@ryerson.ca
Danielle Christie, BA
Research Ethics Administrator
(Ethics, Undergraduate Ethics)
437-245-1139
danielle.christie@ryerson.ca
Farid Pesteh, BA
Research Ethics Administrator
(Ethics, Animal Care)
416-979-5000 ext. 552963
fpesteh@ryerson.ca
E. Nilushi de Silva, BASc
Research Ethics Administrator
(Ethics)
nilushi.desilva@ryerson.ca
To access the online ethics submission and review system, log into your my.ryerson account and go to the "Research" box.
Research Ethics Board
The Research Ethics Board (REB) approves, rejects, proposes modifications to, or terminates any proposed or ongoing research involving humans that is conducted by faculty, staff or undergraduate students of the university, so as to protect research subjects and ensure that research is conducted in an ethical manner. No research on humans shall be undertaken without the prior approval of the REB.
The REB shall:
- Interpret and apply the Tri-Council Policy Statement and relevant legislation.
- Establish guidelines and procedures consistent with the Tri-Council Policy Statement and relevant legislation.
- Facilitate research by consulting with and assisting researchers.
Chair
Name | Faculty/Expertise |
Asher Alkoby, LL.B., LL.M., S.J.D. | Ted Rogers School of Business Management (Law & Business) |
Vice-Chair
Name | Faculty/Expertise |
Todd Girard |
Arts (Psychology) |
Ex-Officio Members (non-voting)
Name | Faculty/Expertise |
Zakiya Atcha | REB Manager |
Danielle Christie | REB Administrator |
E. Nilushi De Silva | REB Administrator |
Farid Pesteh | REB Administrator |
Mina Alam | Research Ethics Intern |
Nazdona Ayon | Research Ethics Intern |
Dinez Clarke |
Research Ethics Intern |
Faculty and Staff Representatives
Name | Faculty/Department |
Sean Bellaviti | Arts (Philosophy) |
Paolo Ammirante | Arts (Psychology) |
David Day | Arts (Psychology) |
Alexandra Fiocco | Arts (Psychology) |
Tisha Ornstein | Arts (Psychology) |
Damien Lee | Arts (Sociology/Indigenous) |
Megan Scribe | Arts (Sociology/Indigenous) |
Yukari Seko |
Communication & Design (Communication & Culture) |
Lorena Escandon | Communication & Design (Creative Industries) |
Aurelia DiSanto | Community Services (Early Childhood Studies) |
Purnima George |
Community Services (Social Work) |
Henry Parada |
Community Services (Social Work) |
Susan Preston | Community Services (Social Work) |
Richard Meldrum | Community Services (Occupational Health & Safety) |
Esther Ignani | Community Services (Disability Studies) |
Sumit Bhatia | Cybersecurity Catalyst (Staff) |
Restiani Andriati | Digital Media Projects/CCS (Staff) |
Jeff Yokota | Engineering and Architectural Science (Aerospace Engineering) |
Karthi Umapathy | Engineering and Architectural Science (Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering) |
Naomi Eichenlaub | Library |
Chris Macdonald | Ted Rogers School of Management (Law and Business/Ethics) |
Michael Baumtrog | Ted Rogers School of Management (Business Management) |
Zahava Rosenberg-Yunger | Ted Rogers School of Management (Health Services Management) |
Daniele Bertolini | Ted Rogers School of Management (Law and Business/Legal) |
Nagina Parmar | Science (Biomedical Science) |
Costin Antonescu | Science (Chemistry & Biology) |
Miranda Kirby | Science (Physics) |
Students
Name | Faculty/Expertise |
Bryanna Hines | Graduate Student (Early Childhood Studies) |
Maya Atlas | Graduate Student (Psychology) |
Parky Lau | Graduate Student (Psychology) |
Bailee Malivoire | Graduate Student (Psychology) |
Leen Nasser | Graduate Student (Psychology) |
Emma Rempel | Graduate Student (Psychology) |
Aledia Hayes | Graduate Student (Philosophy) |
Tim Mt. Pleasant | Undergraduate Student (Philosophy/Indigenous) |
Community Members
Name | Expertise |
Andrew Willis | Business Management |
Faith Donald |
Nursing/Health |
Allyson Aritcheta | Psychology |
Ricky Rodrigues | Social Work/Sociology |
Ad Hoc / Advisors
Name | Faculty/Expertise |
Lynn Lavallée | (Indigenous Resurgence) Past Chair |
Nancy Walton | (Nursing) Past Chair |
Patrizia Albanese | Arts (Sociology) Past Chair |
Note: There is currently a vacancy in the Faculty/Expertise role within FCAD.