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Ontario Tech acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

Learn more about Indigenous Education and Cultural Services

Return to On-Campus Research - Process and Application

Updated February 3, 2022

Dear Research Community,

As the university community continues to navigate the ongoing challenges due to COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, we would like to provide you with an update on the following:

  • On-Campus Research Process;
  • Human Subject Participant Research (on behalf of the Research Ethics Board); and
  • Office of Research Services remote services.

Although there are new measures for teaching and remote work in January 2022, approved research activities on campus will continue, subject to the research safety requirements needed to appropriately support the research activities of the individual Faculty members.

Amendment Process For Already Approved On-Campus Research:
  • Researchers who have already received FORC approval are no longer required to seek approvals for amendments to their approved on-campus research activities (e.g. additional personnel, etc. ) unless otherwise subject to REB or other safety approvals.
  • The Faculty On-campus Research Committees (FORCs) will remain as a COVID-19 risk mitigation resource for all researchers to consult with about COVID-19 and other health and safety matters as needed. 
Application Process for New On-Campus Research Activities:
  • Researchers who have not previously received FORC approval to resume on-campus research activities must review and follow the Campus Health and Safety Updated Guidelines and complete the Laboratory Guidance Document and Pre-start Laboratory Checklist (if appropriate). There is no requirement to submit and receive approval from the FORCs for COVID-19 risk mitigation procedures prior to resuming research activities on campus; however, it is strongly recommended that researchers consult with the FORCs before resuming research activities on-campus.
  • All projects will need to demonstrate appropriate risk/mitigation strategies in line with the Risk Matrix for Research Projects. A detailed COVID-19 safety plan is required for all cases when the two-metre distance cannot be respected, or when other high-level risk factors exist (ie. density issues; physical contact required). PPE will be a key consideration.  Please consult with the appropriate FORC if you require assistance in the creation of a safety plan.
  • In addition, it is strongly recommended that copies of the completed Laboratory Guidance Document and Pre-start Laboratory Checklist be kept in the laboratory records and be reviewed and/or accessible to all research personnel, as appropriate.
  • Note: Researchers who require approval for research ethics and specialized safety requirements (e.g. human ethics, biosafety, radiation, lasers, X-rays, animal care) must inform their FORC and may require approval if required by the REB, Animal Care Committee, Radiation Safety Committee, and/or the Biosafety Committee.

For more information, please email research@ontariotechu.ca.  If you have any questions about your research funding or other matters pertaining to your research, contact staff in the Office of Research Services.  

Faculty On-campus Research Committees (FORCs):
  • FEd
    • Robyn Ruttenberg-Rozen
  • FBIT
    • Bin Chang
    • Patrick Hung
    • Bill Kapralos
    • Meenal Soman
  • FEAS
    • Khalid Elgazzar
    • Scott Nokleby
    • Min Dong
    • Brendan MacDonald
    • Shahryar Rahnamayan
    • David Kim
  • FESNS
    • Kirk Atkinson
    • Brian Ikeda
    • Sharman Perera
  • FHS
    • Shilpa Doga
    • Bernadette Murphy
    • Syed Qadri
    • Ryan Foley
  • FS
    • Sean Forrester
    • Brad Easton
    • Theresa Stotesbury
  • FSSH
    • Steven Downing
    • Matt Shane
    • Joe Eastwood
    • Andrea Slane (alternate)
Resources:
 Other relevant documents:

 For more information, please read the latest COVID-19 research updates.

 If you have any research questions, please do not hesitate to contact research@ontariotechu.ca.

 Thank you again for your continued research efforts during COVID-19.