All research undertaken within the School of International Development and International Development UEA must conform to our policy on research involving human subjects.

The International Development Ethics Committee has been set up to ensure that research conducted in international development meets generally accepted ethical principles and any legal requirements.

In undertaking research overseas, we are often working in environments where both formal and informal institutional arrangements may make research participants particularly vulnerable, both with respect to defending their own personal integrity and position and also exposing them to the risk of repercussions from participation in the research. We need to be particularly alert to these dimensions.

It is important that the safety and wellbeing of research participants and researchers are assured, that the researcher is aware of any possible ethical issues in carrying out the research and that steps have been taken to ensure that best practice is followed. On behalf of all researchers in International Development at UEA, we have introduced a set of procedures to ensure that the University's guidelines in relation to the ethical conduct of research are followed.

Please note that all research undertaken in School of International Development and International Development UEA, including funded and non-funded staff research, PhD work, postgraduate and undergraduate dissertations is covered by these procedures. All research that involves primary data collection or the use of secondary data that contain personal or confidential/restricted information requires ethical clearance. Use the application form (see below) to apply for ethical clearance from the International Development Ethics Committee.

Please contact Professor Janet Seeley or Dr Sheila Aikman if you have queries concerning research and ethics (which, in the case of students, your supervisor cannot resolve).

Files for download

  1. Ethical Clearance Form -  updated October 2012
  2. Ethical Handbook 2013
  3. Ethics Policy
  4. Faculty/Research Associate Initial Checklist (for research)

For more information about ethical clearance procedures please visit the DEV Intranet site:

International Development Ethics statement