‘Being a member of an NREC is an opportunity to work collaboratively with a diversity of people towards a shared national goal – to strengthen Irish research’

Professor Mary Horgan, President of Royal College of Physicians of Ireland & Chair of NREC COVID-19

NREC Members are appointed from all walks of life. They may include clinicians, pharmacists, nurses, other healthcare workers, legal practitioners, research scientists, social scientists, patients and other members of the public. Although some will have prior research ethics committee experience, this is not essential: experiential knowledge is of equal value to professional knowledge in the process of ethics review. This is why applications are particularly invited from those who may be, or have been, patients, parents, carers or involved in patient organisations or feel they have an informed life experience or perspective to bring to bear for health research in Ireland.

Membership of an NREC is an important public role requiring commitment. Details of appointed Members will be listed on the National Office website and Members will be required to prepare for and attend monthly Committee meetings (mostly virtually and occasionally in person). NREC Members are expected to work together and with the National Office team to ensure the highest standards of ethics review and efficiency in the process. Being an NREC Member is also an exciting opportunity to enable Irish research, gain insight into forefront health developments, and ensure that Irish research is strengthened by the highest ethics standards.