Hampshire College

Research that uses human subjects must be reviewed and approved by an independent committee called an Institutional Review Board (IRB). The IRB provides an opportunity and place for individuals with different backgrounds to discuss and make judgments about the acceptability of projects, based on criteria set out in Common Rule ("systematic investigation, including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge").

Under the Common Rule, IRBs must have at least five members and included at least one scientist, one non-scientist, and "one member who is not otherwise affiliated with the institution and who is not part of the immediate family of a person who is affliated with the institution". IRBs have the authority to approve, require modification of (in order to secure approval), and disapprove all research activities covered by the Common Rule. They are also responsible for conducting continuining review of research at least once per year and for ensuring that proposed changes in approved research are not initiated without IRB review and approval, except when necessary to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to the subject.

For more information please visit http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/irb/irb_guidebook.htm
Information about the procedures and forms required for submitting a research proposal to the IRB for review can be found in the attached document: Procedures and Forms for IRB Review

Institutional Review Board Members

Melissa Burch, Assistant Professor of Cognitive Development, IRB chair
Jennifer Southgate, IRB Secretary

Nancy Apple, Director of Environmental Health and Safety
Yaniris Fernandez, Associate Dean of Faculty
Kay Johnson, Professor of Asian Studies
Fred Wirth, Associate Professor of Physics
Mattitivahu Zimbler, Community Member
Chelvanaya Gabriel, Lab Manager/Greenhouse Supervisor

2007-2008 Institutional Review Board Committee Meeting Dates

IMPORTANT: IRB Proposals are due one week prior to committee meeting dates.

September 18, 2007
October 16, 2007
November 13, 2007
December 11, 2007
February 12, 2008
March 11, 2008
April 8, 2008
May 6, 2008

All meetings are scheduled at 3:30 p.m. in the ASH Conference Room.