Ethics, Risk and Fieldwork (ERF)

These pages are currently being updated. If you have any queries about applying for Ethics, Risk or LTWA please email erf@polis.cam.ac.uk

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 here.
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 here.
Leave to Work Away: 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).

Travel Insurance

Please note: 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. 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.