Research Newsletter - Issue 99: Information and Updates

Updates to Research Ethics Committee application form

A new version of the REC application form will be available on the Research Ethics Webpage and the Research Ethics Portal on Loop from 7th January 2025. The new update is a reminder to researchers to anonymise any personal data they may gather as soon as possible in the research process. This is to prevent researchers being asked to remove personal data from their research findings even after publication, given that GDPR regulations guarantee a person’s right to  access and remove any personal data they have provided, at any time. 

Videos how to complete the DCU REC application form

A set of three short videos have been prepared explaining how to fill in each section of the DCU REC application form. The videos will be available on the Research Ethics Webpage and the Research Ethics Portal on Loop from 7th January 2025.

Research Ethics drop-in clinics

The DCU Research Ethics Committee is pleased to announce that from January 2025, online drop-in clinics will be available to staff and post-graduate students each Tuesday from 1pm to 2pm via Zoom. The purpose of the clinics is to provide technical  support and promote discussion of matters related to research ethics at any stage in the research lifecycle. Sign up to a clinic via the REC clinic calendar.  The first clinic will take place on Tuesday, 7th January 2025.

Applications are now being accepted for the UNESCO–Al Fozan International Prize. The Prize recognizes young scientists whose work contributes to global socio-economic progress and encourages greater interest in science, particularly among women and girls, to foster gender equality and promote scientific careers. 

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have gained recognition for significant achievements or contributions in one or more of the following areas:

• Research in STEM, including emerging technologies.
• STEM education, dissemination of research findings, creativity, and innovation.
• International or regional cooperation in STEM.
• Age: Candidates must be under 40 years old at the time of the application deadline.
• Gender Equality: Nominations of young women scientists are strongly encouraged to promote gender balance in STEM fields.

 Nominations can be submitted by the following entities:

1. Governments of UNESCO Member States, in consultation with their National Commissions
2. Non-governmental organizations maintaining official partnerships with UNESCO and active in relevant fields covered by the Prize
3. UNESCO Chairs
4. Category 2 Centres under the auspices of UNESCO
5. International scientific unions
6. Universities: Only the Head of a Department, Dean, or a University management professional

Please Note: Individual faculty members and staff cannot nominate candidates, and candidate self-nominations are not accepted.

Deadline for application is 15th April 2025.

The NORF-funded ABOARD project (led by UCC and TCD) invite you to share your views on Open Research and Responsible Research practices and how well aligned you find current research incentives with those movements. 

Completing  this self-assessment survey will only take about 5 minutes of your time, by doing so you will help build the evidence base for an incentivization roadmap for Open Research practices in Ireland.

Survey deadline: Friday, 20 December 2024