Beyond the Protocol: Volume 1, Fall 2026
Fall 2026
Index
Welcome!
Hello and welcome! I am Katelyn (Katie) Wadleigh and for those who haven't met me, I am the Manager of the Research Ethics Office (REO) here at the University of Guelph. On behalf of the REO team, I am pleased to share the inaugural issue of Beyond the Protocol with you.
We created this newsletter to provide you with a variety of ethics-related content, spanning topics from the local University of Guelph context to the broader application in human participant research. Each semesterly issue will share relevant, insightful and timely information designed to help you meet the highest ethical standards in your research. Whether you are submitting your first application, navigating a grey ethical area or are a seasoned researcher who can recite the TCPS2 in your sleep, here you will find useful tips, interesting educational content and even a few lighter features for your enjoyment.
Fittingly, this inaugural issue focuses on one of the cornerstones of ethical research: Consent. You will find resources and articles exploring consent in a variety of contexts, reminding us why it remains at the heart of respectful, ethical research practices. And yes, we recognize the irony that for this newsletter we adopted an "opt-out" model of consent by signing up all EthOS users! Rest assured, opting out of Beyond the Protocol is quick, easy, and comes with considerably less paperwork than most REB applications. (See the footer below for unsubscribe links, or to subscribe and share with others who may be interested.)
As this newsletter evolves, we invite your feedback, questions and suggestions for future content. Please share your thoughts with us at reb@uoguelph.ca.
Thank you for reading, and we hope you enjoy the first issue!
Fall Semester Dates
Board dates to review high risk protocols:
General Board
- October 7
- November 4
- December 2
NPES Board
- October 21
- November 18
Submission dates are a minimum of two weeks prior. See the Research Ethics Boards page for more details.
Brown Bags: Every Tuesday
Join us virtually for drop-in guidance on your ethics application! Every Tuesday Noon-1pm. Click here for the Teams link (scroll to bottom of page).
Truth and Reconciliation Day: September 30th
Researchers and administrators play an important role in fostering respectful, ethical, and inclusive research practices that honour Indigenous knowledge, perspectives, and partnerships. As we reflect on the lasting impacts of the residential school system and our shared responsibility to advance reconciliation, we encourage you to watch the Doing Indigenous Research webinar, created in partnership with Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC). Learn more about the University of Guelph's commitment to truth and reconciliation.
University Closure: December 24, 2026- January 4, 2027
Researchers are encouraged to factor this into their planning, as review timelines pause while the University is closed.
Let's Talk Research Consent
Consent is a concept that applies to many aspects of our daily lives. We encounter situations requiring consent discussions regularly, for example, when we interact with health care professionals who seek our consent to medical procedures, or in our interpersonal relationships when someone wants access to our time or resources, or when we agree to the terms and conditions of that latest app.
But what does consent mean when applied to the research setting, and what information needs to be shared in a research consent document and discussion?
Read More
Consent Explored
Consent is more than a checkbox. To help continue the conversation, our staff have selected a few articles that examine consent from a variety of angles. We invite you to explore, reflect, and discover new perspectives on this foundational aspect of ethical research.
Consent Resources
Feeling overwhelmed while developing your research consent materials? Wondering why the REB requests so much information be included?
Creating effective informed consent documents requires a careful balance between clear, concise language and ensuring prospective participants have sufficient information to make an informed decision about taking part in your research. Chapter 3 of the TCPS2 (2022) provides researchers and the REB with guiding principles for research consent, as well as specific guidance within Article 3.2 on elements to include in consent materials.
New Resources! The Research Ethics Office offers an updated Consent Checklist, developed directly from the TCPS2 (2022) guidance, to assist researchers with creating consent documents. We are also excited to offer a new Consent Checklist Guidance document for item-by-item details about the purpose and nature of information sought. Researchers are encouraged to use these resources to ensure their consent materials are complete prior to submission for REB review.
EthOS Essentials
It's hard to believe it’s been two years since we launched EthOS in the summer/fall of 2024! Since then, we’ve refined the applicant workflows and forms, made many behind-the-scenes improvements for REB members/ administrators, and introduced a refreshed user interface in May 2026. These milestones reflect the patience, feedback, and partnership of our research community. As we continue to evolve EthOS, we're committed to ongoing improvement and supporting researchers every step of the way!
First Time Submitting?
New to REB applications? This guide walks you through the process step by step, making it easier to know what to expect and where to start.
Managing Document Uploads
Here is a new tip sheet and video on how to manage your document attachments throughout an application’s lifecycle
Did You Know That...
- Autoethnography and self-study, when done for the purpose of research, are subject to REB review, even where the Researcher(s) is(are) the only participant(s); see TCPS2 (2022) Article 2.1; Scope Interpretation #13; REB Review Interpretation #10
- REB review is generally required when social media information is used for research purposes; see TCPS2 (2022) Guidance
- Course-based research activities carried out for pedagogical purposes fall within the scope of REB review; see TCPS2 (2022) Article 2.1
- Research conducted for major research papers (MRP), theses, or dissertations are subject to REB review, whether the student researcher has any intent to publish their findings outside of submission for fulfilment of degree requirements; see TCPS2 (2022) Article 2.1
- Creating a participant database of contact information for prospective participants in future requires REB review and consent from those included in the database; see TCPS2 (2022) Chapters 3 and 5
Beyond the Desk
For Robert Holley, Research Ethics Office Coordinator, research ethics is about much more than forms, requirements and approvals. At its heart, research ethics is about respect, dignity, justice and, as Rob puts it, “what we owe to each other.”
Read more about Rob in this short conversation about ethics, partnership and helping research move forward.
Read More
Protocol Pursuits
Take a break from protocols with Protocol Pursuits! This issue's challenge is a word search featuring terms familiar to anyone navigating the world of research ethics.
Print a copy from the link below and see how many you can find. The prize is simply the joy of finding the last elusive word, which we all know is surprisingly satisfying!
Puzzle Me Up
Support Options
Research ethics support is closer than you think!
Whether you're looking for a guest lecture, practical guidance, or a chance to discuss a research project, our goal is to make the ethics review process as approachable and supportive as possible...and you can put a face to a name with our REO staff while you’re at it! We look forward to seeing many of you in the coming semester.