Research Ethics Board (REB) Annual Report for 2025-26

2025-26 Research Ethics Board (REB) Activities

For fiscal year 2025-26, the REB reviewed 21 new applications. Strong interest continues in education and health research, with a shift towards the interplay between these two topics. 

The following requests were also processed: 15 study completions, six renewals, and 11 amendment requests. There were no unanticipated issues reported during this year. 

The REB welcomed a new Chair in September 2025 following the retirement of the previous Chair. A new Research Ethics Coordinator was welcomed in January 2026 after their predecessor resigned in August 2025. Coordinator duties were held on an interim basis between August 2025 to January 2026.

The REB held its annual retreat on June 12, 2025, with a focus on community-engaged research and research data management procedures.

The Durham College REB Protocols manual was updated in September 2025. In addition to this revision, a new sanctions protocol was proposed. This protocol is intended to minimize participant harm and inappropriate research practices by outlining procedural consequences to researcher non-compliance. This protocol is targeted to be implemented by September 2026. 

An updated Institutional Permission form was introduced in March 2026. This update permits internal and external researchers to use the same form. 

2024-25 Research Ethics Board (REB) Members

Name	Role	Faculty	>Status
Kay Corbier	Chair	Social & Community Services	Appointed
Laura Benninger	Member	Science, Engineering & Information Technology	Appointed
Dr. Arlene de la Rocha	Member	Health Sciences	Appointed
Dr. Crystal Garvey	Member knowledgeable in ethics	Health Sciences	Resigned September 2024
Candi Thayer	Member knowledgeable in law	N/A	Appointed
Dr. Lynne Kennette	Member	Liberal Studies	Appointed
David Sumantry	Community member	N/A	Resigned July 2024
Nicole Kruczek	Community member	N/A	Appointed November 2024
Nyasha Nyereyemhuka	Member knowledgeable in ethics	N/A	Appointed November 2024
Jennifer Wallace	Administrator	Office of Research Services, Innovation & Entrepreneurship	N/A