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Research Ethics Committee:

Social, Behavioural and Education Research

Scope/Function

The purpose of the Research Ethics Committee: Social Behavioural and Education Research (REC: SBE) in reviewing research, is to contribute to safeguarding the dignity, rights, safety, and well-being of all actual or potential participants in social, behavioural, economic and education research conducted at Stellenbosch University. 

The REC: SBE provides independent, competent, and timely reviews of the ethical risks related to research proposals, and can recommend measures aimed at avoiding or minimising these risks – acknowledging that the ethics of research can never be fully separated from its scientific dimensions (which include, among other things, methodological and theoretical aspects).

The Research Ethics application process starts within the respective academic departments via the Departmental/Faculty Ethics Screening Committee (DESC/FESC). Applications are screened to determine their risk levels. Low-risk projects are screened by the DESC and are ratified by the REC: SBE. Only those applications that are deemed medium or high risk are referred to the REC: SBE for review at a convened meeting. ​

REC: SBE meeting dates: 2025​

Important information

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REC Documents
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DESC Process
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How to apply

​Who do​ I contact?​​​

  • Enquiries about the DESC/FESC process and internal/departmental submission deadlines: 
DESC/FESC coordinator contact list​​
  • Enquiries about the REC application process:
Contact the REC helpdesk at [email protected] 
  • Experiencing technical difficulties with the system:
Contact the system administrator, Ms Jennifer de Beer at [email protected].