The Research Ethics Board (REB) is an autonomous body that is mandated by Dawson’s Board of Governors to review the ethical acceptability of research involving humans, when conducted by Dawson faculty, staff, students or approved external researchers.

Dawson College is served by a single institutional REB, and its mandate from the Board of Governors grants it the authority to approve, reject, propose modifications to, or terminate on ethical grounds any proposed or ongoing research that involves human participants and is conducted within the jurisdiction or under the auspices of Dawson College, regardless of where the research is conducted.

Current Members

Become a REB Member

The Dawson Research Ethics Board (REB) is currently seeking qualified volunteers in the following categories:

Representative Knowledgeable in Ethics
Candidates for this membership category need to have sufficient knowledge to guide an REB in identifying and addressing ethics issues. A balance of ethics theory, practice and experience offers the most effective path to knowledge in ethics for REB membership.

Representative Knowledgeable in the Relevant Disciplines
Relevant Research Disciplines include the Social Sciences and Humanities, Educational Research, Research Methods, Nursing, Community and Social Services. Candidates for this membership category must be knowledgeable in a range of quantitative or qualitative research methods for research projects involving human participants. Recent experience conducting research in one of these areas and research involving human participants will be considered an asset.

Representative Knowledgeable in the Law
The role of the member knowledgeable in the law is to alert the REB of legal issues and their implications (e.g., privacy issues). Knowledge and/or work experience with privacy and confidentially laws would be considered an asset.

Community Member
Candidates for this membership category must not be affiliated with Dawson College. It is advisable that Community Member candidates not be currently engaged in research activities or practice law as their primary activity. Experience as a participant in a research study would be considered an asset.

Membership Details

The Dawson REB typically meets once a month throughout the academic year.

REB members are provided with education and training to enable them to fulfill their duties. These opportunities may include participation in local or out-of-town conferences, workshops, and round table discussions, as well as the applied learning that is encouraged at each meeting.

Selection Process

The REB Office will contact the selected candidates to schedule an interview with the REB Selection Committee. Upon a successful interview, the candidate will be invited to attend a REB meeting as an observer. The Selection Committee will then make their final recommendation(s) to the Dawson College Board of Governors for appointment. The term of appointment is 1 year, renewable up to 5 years.

To apply, please complete the Dawson REB Membership Form.

Any inquiries regarding the REB, the Call for Members or the Selection Process can be sent to rebapply@dawsoncollege.qc.ca.