Erasmus University Rotterdam

Ethical Review

Erasmus University Rotterdam underpins the importance of an ethical review of research projects prior to starting the research. In line with the diversity of research disciplines, Erasmus University Rotterdam has several ethics committees / internal review boards. For some disciplines, an ethics committee is still under construction.

When starting an employment relation with EUR, employees confirm that they will act in compliance with the Netherlands Code of Conduct for Academic Practice. The assessment incorporates key attributes of the medical sciences, social sciences and the humanities that may influence ethical issues (underlying ethical principles; methodology; participants; participant consent; protection of personal data and privacy). After a research proposal has been approved by an Ethics Review Board, the responsibility of the individual researcher for the work transfers to the school, provided that the researcher follows the procedures based on which the consent was provided. 

Ethical committees 

Each ethics committee has developed its own discipline-specific procedures. However, in line with principles set out in the ethical requirements for research funded under H2020, an ethical review is strongly advised in cases where:

  • Human subjects are involved
  • Animals are involved
  • Non-EU countries are involved

In all cases where data is collected or used, a data management plan needs to be in place.

Ethical review is currently undertaken for all research where required by law or the funding body. Some faculties have extended the requirements. Researchers can contact the individual or secretariat of the most appropriate ethics committee (listed below) for further information and advice.

For general information, please contact Linda Jansen: ethics@eur.nl. 

  • The Dutch Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act: 

    • For medically oriented projects, the first step is to make clear whether the project needs to be reviewed according to the WMO (Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act). This is done by the chairs of the Medical Internal Review Board (METC) of Erasmus MC. On the website of Erasmus MC, you can find the WMO criteria (only available in Dutch). 

      Projects that need to be reviewed according to the WMO go through the Medical Ethical Review Committee (METC in Dutch). On the website of Erasmus MC you will find more information and contact details (only available in Dutch). 

    • For medically oriented research for which the WMO criteria do not apply, but does contain ethical components, information on how to act is available on the website of Erasmus MC (only available in Dutch). 

  • Researchers that make use of the Erasmus Behavioural Lab require approval for their research plan from the Internal Review Board for Experimental Research (ERIM IRB-E).

    Researchers that conduct research outside of the Erasmus Behavioural Lab, but need IRB approval as well, can submit to the Internal Review Board for Non-experimental research (ERIM IRB-NE).

  • ESHPM researchers can contact: research.reviewboard@eshpm.eur.nl. 

  • ESSB has two Ethics Review Boards:

  • ESHCC researchers submit their research to the ESHCC Ethics Review Board. 

  • ESL researchers can contact Annet van der Veen; a.vanderveen@law.eur.nl

  • ISS researchers can contact Joanna Baskott; baskott@iss.nl

  • IHS researchers can contact: Annette van Engen: vanengen@ihs.nl.