Research Ethics Colloquium 2026
Date:
12 June 2026
Time:
10:00AM
Location:
Rewley House, Oxford, or online
Event status:
Closed to registrations
Location:
Rewley House, Oxford, or online
Dates:
12 June 2026
Format:
Hybrid (in person or online)
Level:
Postgraduate
Fees:
FREE
About the session
Annual colloquium open to Oxford University staff and students The Oxford Lifelong Learning Ethics Colloquium is a 2.5‑hour event designed to strengthen shared understanding of ethical practice, with a particular focus on how the Departmental Research Ethics Committee (DREC) guides and oversees ethics across programmes. The Chair will open by introducing the DREC’s core values, which includes transparency, inclusivity, and a shared responsibility and how this underpins a reciprocal ethics process that is designed to support both applicants and reviewers. Panel members will then explore ways to strengthen the ethics application workflow: students are welcome to highlight where guidance and support could be clearer, programme leads will discuss challenges in preparing and interpreting applications, and reviewers will identify common issues and opportunities to streamline decision‑making. A cross‑panel discussion will draw together shared challenges and opportunities for improvement, followed by closing reflections and next steps.
Key learning outcomes
- Explain the core values and guiding principles of the Departmental Research Ethics Committee (DREC) and describe how these are designed to support a transparent, inclusive, and reciprocal ethics process.
- Identify common challenges and areas for improvement within the ethics application workflow, from the perspectives of students, programme leads, and reviewers.
- Analyse typical issues that arise in ethics applications and discuss strategies to streamline review processes and enhance decision making.
- Collaboratively propose practical next steps to strengthen guidance, support, and consistency across programmes in relation to ethical practice and research governance.
Dr Sarah Frodsham
Co-Director of the Graduate School and Chair of Ethics
Sarah oversees the Graduate School’s training programme for postgraduates and the Departmental Research Ethics Committee. She continues to work with Oxford Brookes University where she supervises students and teaches postgraduate research methodologies. Her PhD, obtained in 2018, focuses on creativity in primary science. She has a background in Structural Biology and has published extensively in her field. Read Sarah’s full academic bio.
Isabel Martin Gacia
Administrative support
Isabel is one of the Senior Course Administrators for Postgraduate Research Courses and the Graduate School. She has supported Sarah in the administration of the Departmental Research Ethics Committee from January to May.
Panel questions can be submitted in advance to researchethics@conted.ox.ac.uk
Who can register for this event?
The colloquium is open to Oxford University staff and students only.
When and where
Friday 12 June 2026, 10am-12.30pm UK time (10:00 – 12:30 BST).
This event can be attended in person or online.
If attending online, we recommend joining 5-10 minutes before the session starts. Joining instructions will be sent out in advance of the event via email.
If joining us in person at Rewley House:
Graduate School Room
Rewley House
1 Wellington Square
Oxford
OX1 2JA
For details of parking and accessibility, please see the University’s access guide.
To book your place, please select the green ‘book now’ button.
You must register using your Oxford University email address.
As a graduate student at the University of Oxford you become a member of one of the most highly regarded educational and research institutions in the world. The Graduate School will help you make the most of the wealth of resources and opportunities available, drawing on our extensive experience in supporting graduate study. While aimed mainly at research students, many sessions are also open to taught postgraduate students. As well as training session sessions and events we also offer accredited short courses.
To find out more about the Graduate School, and the training available to Oxford University students, please see Graduate School training for Oxford University students.
Register your place
Please register using your Oxford University email address.
