IRB Policy/Operations Track (SBER)

2019 SBER Conference

B04 - Challenges and Opportunities for Small IRB Offices at Small Research Programs

Speaker(s)

• 

  Aimee E. Huard, PhD
  

  Chair and Professor of Social Science, Great Bay Community College
  CCSNH IRB Chair,
• 

  Sandy Martinez, MA
  

  Human Protections Administrator, Central Washington University
  
• 

  Andrea R. McDowell, PhD
  

  IRB Administrator; Lecturer, University Honors & Business Communication, Seattle University
  

IRB professionals at small research programs (fewer than 200 open protocols) usually have limited resources and work alone or with few (one to two) staff. While challenges such as time, budget, and bandwidth may seem constraining, smaller programs often have more possibility for flexibility and responsiveness to researchers due to flatter organizational structures and greater decisional authority. This interactive session will address common constraints that small to mid-sized academic IRBs face and discuss strategies not only for remaining compliant and handling these concerns, but also creating prospects for reducing administrative burden, building relationships, and increasing the IRB’s voice on campus. During this session, speakers and attendees will:

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss various challenges facing smaller IRB offices
• Offer strategies and tools from different institutional viewpoints
• Consider benefits and opportunities of a smaller research program
• Network with fellow small-office professionals