Week 4 - How well supported is your AWERB?

Pledge: We will work to achieve better support and recognition for our AWERB throughout the establishment.

Is your AWERB adequately supported? Take our short quiz.

Topics for your AWERB to reflect on:

  • Does senior management understand the AWERB and are they demonstrably committed to it? This includes providing adequate leadership and support, including an appropriate budget.
  • Do key people attend at least some AWERB meetings, such as managers who make decisions and allocate resources, Establishment Licence Holders, facility directors, senior university staff at academic establishments?
  • Do staff receive recognition for participating in the AWERB, e.g. is it included in their annual objectives and performance appraisals? Is work time spent on AWERB membership, or chairing, included in staff time allocation?
  • Does the AWERB liaise with other relevant bodies such as committees dealing with Research Governance or Research Integrity?
  • Is enough resource allocated to the AWERB, including meeting rooms, secretarial and staff time?
  • Does the AWERB receive adequate feedback with respect to implementing its recommendations? 

This RSPCA web page on Issues with the AWERB sets out some problems that AWERB members have raised and discussed - you could use this to help your AWERB reflect on these points.

This summary of the 2019 RSPCA/LASA/LAVA/IAT AWERB-UK meeting provides more detail and is ideal for circulating to your AWERB.

Good induction for AWERB members will help them to engage and to make a case for greater recognition for their contributions: RSPCA/LASA Guiding Principles on Developing Induction Materials for AWERB Members.

The RSPCA/LASA Guiding Principles on Good Practice for AWERBs emphasise the importance of support for the AWERB (especially section 2; general principles of good practice) and are a handy reminder of the breadth and scope of the AWERB's tasks.

How did it go, or do you have any tips for other AWERBs? Please let us know using this anonymous Padlet, which will not collect your personal data.

For more information on the ethical review and the RSPCA's work in the area, see our ethical review web pages.