Educational Research Projects

Educational studies are those studies being undertaken primarily for the purpose of obtaining a qualification.  Studies funded as part of wider grant funding where the main purpose is to undertake the specific research and the educational qualification is secondary do not come into this category.

Please use the student research toolkit to determine whether your project is eligible for HRA review.

1. Sponsorship of Educational Projects

The HRA states: Universities and colleges are expected to accept the role of Sponsor for all educational research conducted by their own students, unless the student is employed by a health or social care provider that prefers to do this.  Sponsors of educational research should ensure that their supervisors can and do carry out the activities involved in fulfilling this role.

York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust requires academic institutions to sponsor educational projects conducted by their staff.

2.  Trust Staff Undertaking Educational Projects

Staff embarking on an educational project should seek advice from their academic institution about applying for Sponsorship and the necessary regulatory applications.  Statistical and methodological advice should also be provided by the academic institution sponsoring the study.

However, it is also important to engage with the Trust at an early stage of the study design to ensure that there are no difficulties envisaged with delivering the study proposed.

For staff planning to undertake their project only at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust AND where NHS Research Ethics Committee approval is NOT required (this must be confirmed in writing by the Sponsor) please contact the Research Adviser to discuss whether an application to HRA would be required.

All other education projects must proceed via the normal regulatory application process via IRAS submission to the REC and/or REC.

3.  External Students Undertaking Educational Projects in the Trust

Staff not employed by the Trust are advised to contact the R&I Department at an early stage and to engage with the departments involved in the proposed study.  It is important to ensure that the clinical teams and directorate staff are aware of the study and supportive in advance of making the regulatory applications.  Where the study will involve direct contact with patients or their data it is essential to identify a member of Trust staff who will be responsible for supervision of the student whilst they are working in the Trust.

External students must apply for the necessary access arrangements that will be required to work in the Trust. Refer to R&D/S20 found here.