Institutional Review Board

The College's Institutional Review Board (IRB) is charged by the College President with the responsibility of reviewing research proposals for the purpose of protecting the rights of individuals who are subjects of any research, conducted by faculty, staff, or students of Simmons College. Federal Regulations place responsibility on the College and the Principal Investigator to insure that high ethical standards are maintained for all research involving human subjects.

What is the Simmons College Policy on the protection of human subjects?
In accordance with federal regulations, all research involving human subjects conducted at Simmons College or conducted by Simmons College faculty, staff, or students must be reviewed and approved by the College's Institutional Review Board (IRB).

Why is this policy important?

Federal regulations mandate that all research involving human subjects be formally approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). If this policy is not complied with the College is at risk for losing its federal funding including funding of student programs (e.g., federal financial aid to students).
Review of research by the IRB maintains ethical standards for the conduct of research by protecting subjects, investigators and the College. This policy has been endorsed by the President's Council.

How does this policy affect me?

This policy applies to all Simmons College faculty, students, and staff who are conducting research as defined above. Specifically, all research conducted as part of class requirement is subject to this policy, as is any research conducted by faculty or staff, with or without outside collaborators.

Questions regarding the implications of pursuing a particular type of research may be directed to Valerie Beaudrault (617-521-2415), Human Protections Coordinator. She will refer them to the appropriate member of the IRB.

What is the Role of the Simmons College IRB?

  • The IRB is fulfilling a federally mandated function.
  • The IRB reviews projects for their risk/benefit ratio to human subjects. While our role is not one of scientific merit review, this is taken into consideration when assessing risk/benefit.
  • The IRB will work with researchers to develop proposals.