BSMS > Research > Support and governance > RGEC hub > Overseas research

Overseas Research

A significant proportion of BSMS staff and postgraduate research students conduct projects which take place entirely overseas, often as part of an international collaboration.

These studies frequently present complex ethical considerations and involve several governance requirements.

Researchers should be aware that they must seek a two-fold ethics review:

BSMS Research Governance and Ethics Committee (RGEC) ethics approval: Applications are made and submitted electronically (via the online ethics review application system in Sussex Direct) to RGEC, which meets monthly at scheduled meetings.
Local ethics approval: Obtained via a research ethics committee in the country(ies) in which the research is to take place, in accordance with local requirements. Local oversight and approval from a recognised Research Ethics Committee (REC) or Institutional Review Board (IRB) in the host country (or countries) where research activity will be carried out are required (and must be secured before any data collection or fieldwork commences).

Requirements for review are as follows:

Approval of studies conducted overseas through the BSMS RGEC is conditional on the securing of local ethics approval in the study country(ies).
All University-sponsored research carried out outside the UK is expected to comply with the University of Brighton and University of Sussex research ethics policies and guidelines while conforming to in-country regulations, practices, and laws.
Researchers planning to carry out research overseas should first determine the appropriate research ethics committee ethics to apply to in the country(ies) in which the research is to be conducted. All relevant local ethics approvals for the country or countries where research is to be carried out should be in place prior to the commencement of the activity/activities to which they apply.

Quick links

Useful forms and guidance for applicants >
Staff-lef research conducted outside the UK >
Additional approvals for overseas research >
Doctoral student-led research conducted outside the UK >
Additional approvals >

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Useful forms and guidance for all applicants

We recommend reading the Best Practice Guidance for Ethics Review of BSMS-Led Research Projects Conducted Outside the UK.

View the guidance here >

Staff-led research conducted outside the UK

To be eligible for BSMS RGEC ethics review and University sponsorship, staff must be employed by the University of Sussex or a clinical academic with an Honorary Contract (and not ‘Honorary Title’) at BSMS.*
*Please note ‘Honorary Contract’ and ‘Honorary Title’ denote different relationships with the University. An Honorary Contract is equivalent to a substantive employment contract with the University of Sussex, while an ‘Honorary Title’ is not. Honorary Contract holders may be named as PIs and lead BSMS research sponsored by the University of Sussex and insured under the University’s insurance policy. Be aware that applying for an Honorary Contract can take a minimum of two months since it is equivalent to a substantive employment contract in all except direct payment of salary. The status of the Honorary Contract holder’s legal relationship with the University must be established well in advance of:
- An application for funding of research;
- Application to the BSMS Research Governance and Ethics Committee (RGEC) for ethics review of the research.

This is to ensure the research can be sponsored by the University. Honorary Contract holders are entitled to a BSMS IT account including access to resources required for University-sponsored research such as research data storage (OneDrive and SharePoint). Contact Sarah Cox, interim Senior HR Business Partner via S.J.Cox@sussex.ac.uk, who will be able to advise further on obtaining a suitable contract.

Staff applications for overseas research must comply with the University of Sussex’s research ethics policies and guidelines including procedures relating to insurance, travel and fieldwork risk assessment.
Refer to the Guidance for BSMS Staff webpage for further details on how to submit an application and what to submit.

View the guidance for staff webpage here >

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Additional approvals for overseas research

If your research requires any travel, or takes place in a foreign country, please note that you will need additional approvals from the University of Sussex for your research:

International Travel: Institutional travel insurance is mandatory for all research related international travel. BSMS staff should arrange travel insurance via the University of Sussex. Guidance is available on the University of Sussex website here. Contact the University of Sussex Insurance Officer for further information: FinanceServiceDesk@sussex.ac.uk.
Insurance for staff and affiliated academics domiciled in the country where they intend to undertake research: Such as, external collaborators undertaking funded research in connection with, or as part of, the University of Sussex. Studies may be led by research staff employed by the Medical School, or a collaborating Investigator financed under an externally funded grant via the University of Sussex. Confirmation of which institution will insure and indemnify the research must be obtained at an early stage, and prior to submitting an application for ethics review by the BSMS RGEC.
Risk Assessment to establish responsibility for professional indemnity insurance to cover the fieldwork: BSMS staff travelling to conduct fieldwork overseas must complete and submit a University of Sussex Overseas Travel Safety and Security Risk Assessment (OTSSRA) form here. Part 1 of the OTSSRA form is completed regarding all travel. Where a Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) warning is against travel or against all but essential travel to the location the member of staff intends to visit, Parts 1 and 2 of the form should be completed and the OTSSRA form should be signed by the Head of School for BSMS or their representative. (Please refer to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office website here for information on countries or territories with travel warnings).
A completed Applicant Checklist Tool for Research Conducted Overseas (download here) must be completed and submitted for the project to demonstrate that the applicant has complied with governance and legal requirements and prepared strategies for how they will minimise the risk of potential harm to participants.

Doctoral student-led research conducted outside the UK

To be eligible for BSMS RGEC ethics review and University sponsorship, students must be a registered Doctoral student at Brighton and Sussex Medical School.

PGR student applications for overseas research must comply with the University of Brighton’s research ethics policies and guidelines including procedures relating to insurance, travel and fieldwork risk assessment.
Refer to the Guidance for Postgraduate Research Students for further details on how to submit an application and what to submit.

View the postgraduate research students webpage here >

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Additional approvals

If your research requires any travel, or takes place in a foreign country, please note that you will need additional approvals from the University of Brighton for your research:

International Travel: Institutional travel insurance is mandatory for all research related international travel. Insurance for student research projects involving international travel is arranged via the University of Brighton. Insurance guidance is available via Personal Accident and Travel insurance (via SharePoint). Contact the University of Brighton Insurance Officer for further information: insurance@brighton.ac.uk. (Please refer to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office website here for information on countries or territories with travel warnings).
Insurance for PGR students domiciled in the country where they intend to undertake research: Such as, students employed or affiliated with external collaborators undertaking funded research in connection with, or as part of, the Universities of Brighton or Sussex. Or, students funded by BSMS, or financed under an externally funded grant via the University of Sussex or the University of Brighton. Confirmation of which institution will insure and indemnify the research must be obtained at an early stage, and prior to submitting an application for ethics review by the BSMS RGEC.
Risk Assessment to establish responsibility for professional indemnity insurance to cover the fieldwork is required before data collection can commence: BSMS Post Graduate Research students conducting fieldwork overseas must complete a University of Brighton Risk Assessment using the University’s online Risk Assessment form.

Download the risk assessment form here >

If your research will require high risk travel or fieldwork conducted in high risk locations (for example, a country within Sub-Saharan Africa), an online Risk Assessment must be completed in AssessNET for the project, to provide institutional oversight.
- Students must first request the setup of an AssessNET account. Contact Nicola Arnold, Safety HUB Manager, Occupational Safety and Health Services, n.j.arnold@brighton.ac.uk to arrange an account to be activated.
- AssessNET is accessed via SharePoint, the University of Brighton’s intranet. View it here. Located in the search menu under ‘Find It’ ‘Access a system’ ‘Assessnet’.
- Please provide a PDF copy of the AssessNET Risk Assessment as part of the supporting study documents appended to the ethics application in Sussex Direct. Risks Associated with Research - University of Brighton Risk Assessment and Travel Insurance Requirements (Download) offers further guidance.
A completed Applicant Checklist Tool for Research Conducted Overseas must be completed and submitted for the project to demonstrate that the applicant has complied with governance and legal requirements and prepared strategies for how they will minimise the risk of potential harm to participants.

Download the applicant checklist here >

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