Committee on the Use of Human Subjects (CUHS)  

The Department strongly encourages students to attend one of the group sessions offered instead of doing the online training (which takes more time). Please do not begin to gather any data until you have been issued Institutional Review Board (IRB) determination through CUHS. 

All undergraduates who are planning to conduct research that either involves interaction/intervention with individuals or their identifiable data, must take part in the Undergraduate Research Training Program (URTP). The URTP involves in-person training. (While online training is available, the in-person training is the preferred option. Whether or not your undergraduate research project requires IRB review, ethics training is a required part of the URTP.) Various resources, as well as a decision form to determine if your project requires IRB review may be found here: https://cuhs.harvard.edu/urtp-portal.

**The decision form is a survey that will provide students with a decision on whether or not their project may require IRB review. It’s also a mandatory step for undergrads who reach out to CUHS to determine if they need review**

Human Subjects training seminars for undergrads will be offered in late fall and in the spring. All sessions will be advertised through the CUHS on their URTP Portal. Please feel free to check their website frequently, call or visit the CUHS during office hours to address any questions regarding any proposed research that may involve human subjects:

Committee on the Use of Human Subjects
Harvard University
44-R Brattle Street, Suite 200
Cambridge, MA 02138
Email: cuhs@harvard.edu
Phone: (617) 496-2847

Sociology's IRB Administrator is Alicia McGovern: alicia_mcgovern@harvard.edu, (617) 495-2724

Walk-in hours found here: https://cuhs.harvard.edu/calendar

It would be most beneficial for you to have met with your faculty adviser to discuss your project prior to attending the IRB sessions, although it is not required.  If you are well prepared for the IRB sessions, the staff will be able to answer specific questions about your protocol.