Ethics Applications

If you are planning to undertake research in the Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment you will need to ensure that you have read the latest revision of the EBE EiR Handbook

EBE staff, students, as well as external persons or parties linked to EBE - planning to undertake research, must apply for ethics clearance.

Note: When applying for ethics clearance, researchers and students should first complete the PSQ (Pre-screening Questionnaire - see EBE PSQ manual below). This mainly consists of answering “Yes” or “No” to approximately 12 questions. The outcome of the PSQ will determine if a student needs to submit a full ethics application or not. 

Ethics clearance applications must be submitted via UCT’s electronic research administration (eRA) system.

-        eRA login

-        For guidance and eRA system-related support, see here or log a call

Guides for EBE Ethics Management

• Reviewing the full ethics application as a supervisor
• Reviewing the application as a departmental authority
• Exporting the outcome letter
• Completing a review sheet in the Reviewer role
• Full application Process Manual
• EBE PSQ Manual
• Reviewing the PSQ as a Supervisor
• PSQ process manual for students and researchers
• Full ethics process manual for students and researchers

Research involving UCT students and staff

For research involving UCT students as research subjects, you will need additional approval from the Executive Director, Department of Student Affairs, Mr Pura Mgolombane

For research involving UCT staff as research subjects, you will need to contact the office of the Executive Director, Human Resources, Miss Zoe Cosmopoulos

Four types of research are considered:

1. Research that does not involve humans or animals.
2. Research that involves interviews of human participants.
3. Research that involves the performance of clinical tests on humans. (Please consult the Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee)
4. Research that uses or involves animals. (Please consult the Health Sciences Animal Ethics Committee)

2024 EBE Departmental Administrators and Departmental Authorities