RESEARCH ETHICS POLICY

Background:

The need for ethics and integrity in all forms of research pursuit is a non-negotiable feature of SASTRA's models of research engagement. A strong ethical framework to guide all research stakeholders internal stakeholder is an imperative for all organisations and more so for universities that are springboards for research and development.  SASTRA can be no exception to this requirement

Objectives: The broad objectives for the Research Ethics Policy is as under:

• To ensure all forms of research pursuit by all SASTRA stakeholders are ethical and upholding the highest standards of integrity
• To sensitise and familiarize all the researchers to the need for ethics in research in all forms proposal submission, conduct of research, purchase, doctoral studies, assessment, etc.
• To follow highest standards of research integrity through a university-wide adopted research ethics framework guidelines
• To ensure a transparent mechanism to address issues of research impropriety following principles of natural justice

Methodology:

• Inclusion of course work related to ethics integrity in Research
• Conduct of generic workshops, awareness and sensitization sessions on Research Methodology, IPR, Technology Tools like Turnitin, etc.
• Inclusion of specific courses in degree programmes on Research Methodology, Research Ethics, etc. with clear leanring outcomes
• Template for Non-Disclosure Agreement and other forms of IP protection document
• Detailed sessions during induction of new faculty research scholars
• Mock sessions and case-studies to understand the consequences of malpractice in research
• Constitution of committees to enquire into issues of research ethics

Specific Ethics Committees:

• Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBSC)
• Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC).

Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC)

SASTRA houses a full-fledged state-of-art Central Animal Facility (CAF) and has been registered for breeding of and experiments on laboratory animals under the Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, Room No. 245, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi 110001 (Registration Number: 817/PO/ReRcBiBt/S/04/ CPCSEA).

CPCSEA has nominated the following external members to the Institutional Animal Ethics committee

1. Dr. V. Gowthaman Main Nominee
2. Dr. R. Saravanan Link Nominee
3. Dr. S. Banupriya Scientist from outside of the Institute
4. Dr. M. Visnupriya Socially aware Nominee

The CPCSEA has accepted the following internal members

1. C. David Raj Scientist In-charge of Animal House Facility, Chairperson
2. S. AnuradhaBiological Scientist
3. S. PanchapakesanVeterinarian
4. Senthil Visaga Ambi Scientist from different biological discipline, Member Secretary
5. N. Sai Subramanian - Scientist from different biological discipline