Research ethics at the RCA are overseen by the Research Ethics Sub-Committee, a sub-Committee of the Research Committee. This was established to advise on legal, moral and ethical issues relating to research undertaken at the Royal College of Art and to ensure that research conducted at the College does not breach the Royal College of Art Code of Practice for Research Ethics.

The Committee considers all matters concerned with the ethics and integrity of investigations involving research subjects and considers all legal matters arising from research, including issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights, Copyright, and the authentication and dissemination of research findings and outputs.

The Committee safeguards the interests of volunteers taking part in investigations and research, to include the preservation of the right of anonymity of participants in, and respondents to research, and ensures that they are informed of any risks relating to participation in research. Where appropriate, the Committee advises the Research Committee on legal, moral or ethical issues relating to research.

The Research Ethics Committee publishes the Royal College of Art Code of Practice for Research Ethics, the Research Ethics Checklist and a series of Participant Consent Forms.

For further details about research ethics at the College please e-mail research@rca.ac.uk.