You are now in the main content area

Research Ethics

University research is governed by policies and practices that ensure the protection of research participants, researchers (faculty, students and staff members), the university and the public. These policies and practices cover research involving humans, the use of animals, controlled goods and hazardous materials, among others.

Please note that research may not begin before all university approvals/certifications, institutional requirements or governmental authorizations are obtained.

Individual researchers, in addition to being governed by internal policies and procedures, may be governed by external ethical guidelines imposed by professional associations such as the Canadian Psychological Association or the Canadian College of Physicians and Surgeons, as well as the guidelines of Canadian and other regulatory agencies, such as the Health Protection Branch of Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

All funded or unfunded research involving humans, animals or controlled goods undertaken at Toronto Metropolitan University facilities and conducted by Toronto Metropolitan University faculty, students and staff is subject to review and approval.

Due to the ongoing circumstances related to COVID-19, both the REB open office hours and biweekly office hours are currently suspended until further notice. However, the REB is still available virtually to answer any questions you may have regarding your research as it relates to research ethics.

REB Open Office Hours

Every Thursday - 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Due to the pandemic, the REB will now be hosting virtual office hours via Zoom. To attend, please click on the following link: 

Join Zoom Meeting (opens in new window) 

Meeting ID: 949 1974 0301 

Please drop in if you have any questions. No appointment necessary.

Contacts

Office of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation 
1 Dundas Street West, 11th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M5G 1Z3

Asher Alkoby, LL.B., LL.M., S.J.D.
Chair, Toronto Metropolitan University Research Ethics Board
416-979-5000 ext. 552491
aalkoby@torontomu.ca
rebchair@torontomu.ca

Todd Girard, PhD
Vice-Chair, Toronto Metropolitan University Research Ethics Board
416-979-5000 ext. 552646
todd.girard@torontomu.ca

Zakiya Atcha, MSW
Research Ethics Manager
(Ethics, Animal Care, Controlled Goods, Undergraduate Ethics)
416-979-5000 ext. 554841
zakiya.atcha@torontomu.ca

Bryanna Hines (she/her), MA, MSW, PhD Student
Research Ethics Administrator
416-979-5000 ext. 552963 
bryanna.hines@torontomu.ca

Fabiola Limón Bravo (she/her), MA
Research Ethics Administrator
416-979-5000 ext. 552963 
Fabiola.LimonBravo@torontomu.ca

Seema Tejani, B.A/B.Ed
Research Ethics Administrator 
416-979-5000 ext. 552963 
stejani2@torontomu.ca

To access the online ethics submission and review system, log into your my.torontomu account and go to the "Research" box.

Research Ethics Board

The Research Ethics Board (REB) approves, rejects, proposes modifications to, or terminates any proposed or ongoing research involving humans that is conducted by faculty, staff or undergraduate students of the university, so as to protect research subjects and ensure that research is conducted in an ethical manner. No research on humans shall be undertaken without the prior approval of the REB.

The REB shall:

  • Interpret and apply the Tri-Council Policy Statement and relevant legislation.
  • Establish guidelines and procedures consistent with the Tri-Council Policy Statement and relevant legislation.
  • Facilitate research by consulting with and assisting researchers.

Chair

Name Faculty/Expertise
Asher Alkoby, LL.B., LL.M., S.J.D. Ted Rogers School of Business Management (Law & Business)

Vice-Chair

Name Faculty/Expertise
Todd Girard
Arts (Psychology)

Ex-Officio Members (non-voting)

Name Faculty/Expertise
Zakiya Atcha REB Manager
Fabiola Bravo REB Administrator
Bryanna Hines REB Administrator 
Seema Tejani REB Administrator

Faculty and Staff Representatives

Name Faculty/Department
Paolo Ammirante Arts (Psychology)
Sean Bellaviti Arts (Philosophy/Ethnomusicology)
David Day Arts (Psychology)
Alexandra Fiocco Arts (Psychology)
Tisha Ornstein Arts (Psychology)
Aurelia DiSanto Community Services (Early Childhood Studies)
Esther Ignani Community Services (Disability Studies)
Lynn Lavallee Community Services (Indigenous Expert/Social Work)
Henry Parada
Community Services (Social Work)
Susan Preston Community Services (Social Work)
Joanna Anneke Rummens Community Services (Nursing)
Fatih Sekercioglu Community Services (Occupational and Public Health)
Yukari Seko
The Creative School (Professional Communication)
Jeff Yokota Engineering and Architectural Science (Aerospace Engineering)
Kathleen Hammond Law
Naomi Eichenlaub Library
Michael Baumtrog Ted Rogers School of Management (Law and Business)
Daniele Bertolini Ted Rogers School of Management (Law and Business)
Tom Griffin Ted Rogers School of Management (Hospitality, Tourism and Management)
Chris Macdonald Ted Rogers School of Management (Law and Business)
Zahava Rosenberg-Yunger Ted Rogers School of Management (Health Services Management)
Kristyn Scott Ted Rogers School of Management (HR Management and Organizational Behaviour)
Nagina Parmar Science (Biomedical Science)

Students

Name Faculty/Expertise
Caitlin Feeley Undergraduate Student (Sociology)
Parky Lau Graduate Student (Psychology)
Leen Nasser Graduate Student (Psychology)
Anik Obomsawin Graduate Student (Indigenous Student/Psychology)
Emma Rempel Graduate Student (Psychology)
Cassandra Skortzki Graduate Student (Psychology)
Naomi Wokocha Undergraduate Student (Philosophy and English)

Community Members

Name Expertise
Mina Alam Law Student
Prasantha De Silva Medicine/Public Health
Ethige Nilushi De Silva Medical Student
Samantha Johnstone Psychology
Farid Pesteh Criminology
Marco Tang Philosophy
Andrew Willis Business Management

Ad Hoc / Advisors

Name Faculty/Expertise
Patrizia Albanese Arts (Sociology) Past Chair
Lynn Lavallée Community Services (FCS Strategic Lead, Indigenous Resurgence) Past Chair 
Damien Lee Arts (Sociology) Previous Indigenous Expert
Megan Scribe Arts (Sociology) Previous Indigenous Expert
Nancy Walton Community Services (Nursing/Associate Dean, Students, TRSM) Past Chair

Note: There is currently a vacancy in the Faculty/Expertise role within FCAD.