Safety in research covers:
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the physical safety of researcher(s);
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the physical safety of all collaborators, agents or other third parties involved in the research, including research participants; and
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the protection of researcher(s) and all other individuals involved from legal or administrative sanction arising from the research.
There are a number of School policies and procedures which should be referred to. This page tells you where to go for guidance and support.
Travel and fieldwork
See here for advice and support for safe travel and fieldwork.If you don't find what you need, contact the Health and Safety Team in Governance, Legal and Policy Division (GLPD).
Travel insurance
The Health and Safety Team will advise as to whether you or the School will need to put in place any special measures to ensure that you remain covered by the School's travel insurance.
Personal and physical safety
Personal and physical safety off-campus will be considered in the context of fieldwork (see above). For on-campus advice contact Richard Mulcahy, Campus Security Operations Manager.
Safety of research participants
This is governed by the School’s Research Ethics Policy. If you need advice, contact the Research Governance Manager in Research Division.
IT security
Even research carried out entirely using online means can conceivably present a risk to safety. Advice on IT security is available from Jethro Perkins, Information Security Manager in Information Management and Technology Division.
Protection from legal or administrative sanction
This is potentially a wide-ranging area. Even in the UK, those researching topics deemed sensitive by the relevant authorities may find themselves subject to scrutiny. There is no easy way to ensure that risks in this area are always recognised and mitigated. Where fieldwork is involved, the Health and Safety team in GLPD will seek to ensure that the relevant considerations are always assessed by those with appropriate expertise. Where fieldwork is not involved, those seeking guidance should refer to the Research Governance Manager in Research Division.