Guidelines for resuming research in the field and face-to-face

27 Jul 2020

A message from Colette Fagan and Nalin Thakkar

Dear Colleagues,

The relaxation of some social distancing restrictions has enabled the gradual resumption of some research activity taking place on campus. However, a significant amount of the University’s critical research activity is conducted off campus – in the field or at other organisations. We have produced guidelines to assist researchers with planning the safe resumption of research activity and research-related travel that takes place off campus at UK or international sites. These guidelines supplement our existing research ethics and risk assessment procedures and also provide details about the approvals required before such research can resume.

Research involving in-person contact with research participants (whether on or off campus) raises additional risks in the current environment. It remains the University’s position that such research should be conducted remotely, wherever possible. The guidelines provide advice about how to adapt research to accommodate social distancing requirements and outline the process for acquiring the necessary approvals before such research can recommence. 

Note that the guidance about resuming in-person research activity is relevant to research taking place on or off campus.

Colette Fagan, Vice-President for Research 

Nalin Thakkar, Vice-President for Social Responsibility and Chair of the Campus Re-opening and Corporate Support group