Becoming an IRB Member
Interested in Becoming an IRB Member?
Serve on a Committee that Reviews Human Participant Research
Baystate Health is seeking community members to join our Institutional Review Board (IRB) — a vital team that protects the rights and welfare of individuals who participate in research.
We welcome individuals from all backgrounds — both scientific and non-scientific — to bring their unique perspectives to the table. Whether you're affiliated with Baystate or an unaffiliated community member, your voice matters.
What's Involved?
IRB members review research proposals to ensure ethical standards are met and participants are protected. Training is provided!
These short videos provide background on what an IRB is and the role it plays in protecting human research participants.
Under federal law, institutions like Baystate Health are required to establish Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) to review and oversee research involving human participants. The primary role of the IRB is to protect the rights, safety, and well-being of all individuals who take part in research.
At Baystate Health, many studies involve human participants. To ensure diverse perspectives and ethical oversight, federal regulations require that at least one IRB member is not affiliated with the institution. This helps ensure that decisions reflect a broader concern for participant welfare beyond the interests of the organization. By joining Baystate’s IRB and supporting its efforts, you can play a key role in upholding the ethical standards of research and safeguarding participants in our community.
Please see the IRB Member brochure (pdf) for more information.
Institutional Review Board (IRB) members serve a vital role in safeguarding the rights, safety, and welfare of individuals who participate in research. IRB members review research proposals in an electronic application system called IRBNet. The board discussion is focused on making sure the study design and procedures meet a set of regulatory criteria required for IRB approval.
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) consists of affiliated and non-affiliated members.
- Affiliated members are individuals (or family members of individuals) who are employed by Baystate in a capacity other than their IRB service. These members come from across the institution and represent a wide range of professional and personal experiences.
- Unaffiliated members are not otherwise connected to Baystate. Their role is essential to providing an external, community-based perspective. They offer fresh insight into the ethical and practical implications of research, particularly from the viewpoint of potential research participants. While unaffiliated members may be non-scientists, this is not a requirement; however, the inclusion of at least one non-scientist on the board is federally mandated.
The IRB is required to include both scientific and non-scientific members to ensure a comprehensive review process. Scientists and healthcare professionals contribute subject matter expertise, particularly in the types of research conducted at Baystate. Meanwhile, non-scientific and unaffiliated members offer valuable lay perspectives that help ensure the research is not only scientifically valid but also ethically appropriate and understandable to the broader community.
What requirements are there for IRB members?
IRB members attend one committee meeting per month, held via Zoom. Therefore, members should be comfortable using a computer, reading electronic documents, and completing online forms. Meetings take place on the second Wednesday of each month from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Members may occasionally be assigned as a primary reviewer for a specific study or studies, in which case they are expected to participate actively in the discussion of that research. However, all members are encouraged to share their perspectives on any study discussed during the meeting, regardless of reviewer assignment, as diverse input strengthens the IRB’s ethical review process.
Will there be training for a new IRB member?
Yes, training is provided for all new IRB members and there is continued training throughout the year. This includes instruction on the regulatory criteria the committee is legally required to evaluate for each study—such as whether informed consent is properly obtained and whether the selection of participants is equitable. Members also receive training on the electronic system used by researchers to submit studies to the IRB. IRB staff attend each meeting to support the committee, help ensure that all required review elements are addressed and are always available to answer questions. In addition, new members are invited to observe meetings as guests before formally joining the IRB, allowing them to become familiar with the process and flow of IRB discussions. There will also be online education modules to complete.
When are the meetings and how long are they?
Meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month (via Zoom) from 7:00 a.m. – 9:00.a.m.
How much time does it take to be a member?
Members attend one meeting per month. Preparation time can depend upon how many studies a member is assigned to review. However, meetings typically run about 2 hours and preparation time could be around three to four hours per month.
How long would I be expected to serve?
We hope our IRB members serve for at least three years. Some members stay longer because they enjoy their role on the committee.
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