Ethics, Risk and Fieldwork (ERF)
Research can raise various ethical and risk issues. In this context, ‘ethical issues’ refers to sensitivities and risks related to human participants and data involved in the research, while ‘risk’ concerns any dangers and challenges to the researcher themselves.
These pages provide the relevant information and links that students and staff need to make the following applications for their research:
- Ethical approval: This is required for all research involving human participants and/or sensitive or confidential data. (In addition, postgraduate students whose research does not fall under this must formally submit the application to confirm this.) For more information on ethical approval applications, see our Ethics page.
- Risk assessments: This is required for all research done away from Cambridge (for more than one day at a time), and for some types of research done in Cambridge that involve particular risks. For more information on risk assessments, see the our Risk page. Students are directed to the university Peregrine Foresight risk assessment system via the ERF online form. Do not apply for the Risk Assessment independently from the POLIS ERF online form; these applications will not be reviewed. You will be asked to insert your Peregrine Foresight ID number into your POLIS application, before submission.
- Leave to Work Away (LTWA): Only relevant to postgraduate students (except for MSt students), and required by the university for research trips away from Cambridge for more than 14 days at a time.
The department’s Ethics, Risk and Fieldwork (ERF) committee is responsible for the content of these pages and for assessing and approving the applications.
Please read these pages carefully before completing and submitting any applications. If students have any further questions, contact the programme administrator. Staff members can contact the ERF Committee (ERF@polis.cam.ac.uk).
Next Step...
Please select the relevant page for further information and to fill in and submit your application:
You should only select the application type that you need, this may be 1 or 2 forms (Ethics or Risk) or all 3 forms ( Ethics, Risk and LTWA) depending on your programme, research, or trip (fieldwork or conference).
ERF Guidance
Postgraduate students
These dates ensure that you apply more than one term prior to the commencement of the research that requires ethical approval.
MPhil students:
- 31st October 2025 (if wanting to do research in the Christmas break, or for students needing early approval so that they can make travel arrangements).
- 6th February 2026
PhD students:
- 12th May 2026 (First year PhD students - submit as part of your first year registration materials).
- Administrator by the following dates:
- 7th November 2025
- 20th February 2026
- 29th May 2026
MSt students:
- 12 June 2026 (if wanting to do research over the summer)
- 30 October 2026 - Main deadline
Undergraduate students
You can only do your research once you have approval, so please consider which deadline would be most appropriate for your schedule.
Students doing dissertation in 2026-27:
- 3rd July 2026 (required if wanting to do research that requires Ethical Approval over the summer)
- 23rd October 2026
All travellers must apply for insurance on a trip by trip basis. Risk assessments must be submitted via the ERF online application system which uses Peregine Foresight. Your application will be automatically registered for university insurance, unlesss it is a complex case. However, insurance coverage is only confirmed once your risk assessment has been formally approved by the POLIS ERF Committee. University Business Travel Insurance cover is provided by the insurer Allianz Travel Insurance | Insurance.
In addition to support from Cambridge Student Services, The Ultimate Guide to Studying Abroad with a Disability guide will give you all of the information that you need to enjoy your time abroad.
If you have any queries about applying for Ethics, Risk or LTWA please email your course administrator.