Every research project involving human participants begins with ethics review. At Â鶹Éç, that means thousands of applications, amendments, renewals, supporting documents and communications moving between researchers, supervisors, Research Ethics Boards (REBs) and administrators each year.Ìý
Today, those activities take place through a single online platform: eRAP (Electronic Research Administration Portal). Ìý
Launched in 2022 by Â鶹Éç's Research Ethics and Compliance team, eRAP has modernized the University's ethics review process by replacing document-based submissions with a fully electronic workflow. Researchers can now prepare, submit and track applications online, while reviewers and administrators manage the entire review process within the same system.Ìý
Built on the InfoEd platform, which the Research Ethics and Compliance Office has used internally for more than a decade, eRAP extends those capabilities directly to the research community.Ìý
"We've replaced our paper and email-based workflow with a modern, web-based ethics review platform," says Daniel Tesolin, Associate Director, Office of Research Ethics and Compliance. "Researchers, support staff and ethics board reviewers can now manage submissions, reviews and communications in one place."Ìý
The benefits extend throughout the review process. Researchers complete dynamic online forms, upload supporting documents, submit amendments and annual renewals, and monitor the status of their files. Behind the scenes, the system automates reviewer assignments, sends deadline reminders, standardizes correspondence and maintains a complete record of each study throughout its lifecycle.Ìý
For researchers, the change means less time managing administrative processes and greater visibility into where their applications stand.Ìý
"It has been helpful to have a centralized system for research ethics," says Gigi Luk, Professor in the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology and Chair of REB-3. "I can provide protocol information directly in the system, upload supporting documents, and review my students' projects in one place. eRAP facilitates document control and streamlines the review process."Ìý
The improvements have also transformed day-to-day administration.Ìý"Paper copies of applications were cumbersome, especially when a study had multiple amendments or annual continuing approvals," says Georgia Kalavritinos, Ethics Review Administrator. "Having everything organized electronically makes it much easier to manage the complete history of a project."Ìý
As research activity at Â鶹Éç continues to grow, eRAP provides a scalable digital infrastructure that supports efficient, transparent and consistent ethics review across the University's four Research Ethics Boards. The platform will be enhanced with a major software upgrade planned for 2026-2027, introducing additional functionality and further improve the user experience.
.