Human Subjects Research

Conducting research with human participants is of utmost importance for advancing scientific knowledge in the biomedical and social behavioral sciences. The ethical and responsible conduct of this type of research plays a vital role in building public trust in science and demonstrating excellence in research. Of equal importance is the ethical review of human subjects research to safeguard the rights and well-being of participants and ensure the integrity of the research being conducted. 

An individual is considered engaged in the conduct of human subject research when carrying out activities such as consenting subjects, collecting data or analyzing identifiable data.

The University of Texas at Austin Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) is a system of institutional review boards, review units, oversight functions and educational and quality assurance activities, that together with researchers, seeks to ensure the rights and welfare of human subjects participating in social behavioral and biomedical research and to promote excellence in all aspects of human research. The HRPP not only promotes compliance with relevant laws, regulations, institutional policy, ethical standards and best practices, it addresses the needs and concerns of researchers and provides support in their human research endeavors.

The central HRPP components operating within the Office of Research Support and Compliance include:

• The Institutional Review Board (IRB)
• IRB Reliance
• Education and Outreach
• Quality Assurance and Monitoring

The central HRPP works collaboratively with other components of the broader HRPP such as Conflict of Interest Program, Office of Sponsored Projects, Environmental Health and Safety, department-level research support units and with investigators and researchers to ensure human participant research is conducted ethically and in compliance with federal regulations, state and local laws and institutional policies.