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Research Governance & Ethics

SPARC

Research Governance & Ethics

Learn about SPARC’s research governance, proportionate ethical review, participant welfare and research integrity.

Illustrative review workspace with blue folders, papers, pens and reading glasses.

Governance and ethics

Research integrity and participant welfare

SPARC operates within the legal and administrative framework of the Institute of Psychosexual Psychotherapy. Its governance approach is informed by the principles of the UK Research Integrity Office (UKRIO) and the Concordat to Support Research Integrity.

Research governance structure

Research Director

Laura Joanknecht

Leads SPARC’s research activity and conducts the initial review of research proposals under the proportionate review model.

Research & Ethics Faculty

Academic input and mentorship support practitioner-led research.

Separate ethical oversight

Research Ethics Committee

Provides independent ethical oversight, undertakes full review of higher-risk or escalated proposals, and reviews amendments, adverse events and ethical concerns.

Research & Ethics Faculty

The SPARC Research & Ethics Faculty brings together experienced clinicians, academics and researchers who contribute research expertise, supervision, consultation and ethical insight across the Centre’s fields of enquiry.

The Faculty is distinct from SPARC’s separate Research Ethics Committee. Faculty membership does not imply Ethics Committee membership.

Professor Desa Markovic

Systemic psychotherapist and psychosexual therapist and supervisor, with experience supervising professional doctorate and postgraduate research using qualitative methods.

Dr Fiona Vera-Gray

Reader at London Metropolitan University and activist-researcher specialising in violence against women and girls, sexual violence, pornography, feminist methodologies and research ethics.

Dr Monique Huysamen

Research Fellow at Manchester Metropolitan University and critical qualitative researcher specialising in sexualities, intimacy, neurodiversity, social justice and research ethics.

Matt Cormack

Integrative, psychosexual and relationship therapist, clinical supervisor and BACP Trustee. His research includes autistic people’s experiences of psychosexual therapy.

Dr Charlotte Williams

Founder and CEO of Elysian Academy, with expertise in children’s social care, family support, training, quality assurance and ethical animal-assisted interventions.

Dr Will Luck

Psychotherapist and psychotherapy trainer with expertise in clinical practice, practitioner education and professional development.

Kathrine Quiller

Jungian Psychoanalyst bringing a depth-psychological perspective and extensive clinical experience to research supervision and ethical review.

Proportionate ethical review

Ethical approval is required before data collection for research conducted under the SPARC banner, in accordance with the proportionate review model.

  1. Initial review

    The Research Director reviews proposals and may approve under proportionate review, request revisions or clarification, or escalate for full committee review.

  2. Review according to risk and complexity

    The level of scrutiny considers participant characteristics, data sensitivity, potential for harm or distress, and overall ethical complexity.

  3. Committee oversight

    The Research Ethics Committee retains oversight of research activity and undertakes full review where required.

Sensitive subject matter does not in itself constitute high risk. Risk depends on the nature of participation, potential impact on participants and adequacy of safeguards.

Safeguards throughout the research

Participant welfare

Informed consent, safeguarding, confidentiality and debriefing are considered during ethical review.

Responsible research

Research is conducted in line with approved protocols. Researchers declare conflicts of interest and report concerns, risks and adverse events.

Data and professional boundaries

Governance addresses data protection, dual roles, professional boundaries and appropriate external ethics approval pathways.

Illustrative research reading room with an oak table, blue seating, bookshelves and a copper lamp.

Understanding the level of review

When might full committee review be needed?

The governance framework identifies circumstances more likely to require full Research Ethics Committee review:

  • Children or young people, or adults lacking capacity to consent.
  • Forensic, safeguarding or high-risk contexts.
  • Participants in dependent or vulnerable positions.
  • Potential for significant distress or psychological impact.
  • Complex confidentiality or sensitive personal-data issues.
  • Other factors that place a proposal above minimal risk in the Research Director’s judgement.
How are lower-risk proposals considered?

The Research Director may approve lower-risk proposals where participation involves competent adults, appropriate consent procedures and no foreseeable risk beyond that encountered in professional dialogue or reflective inquiry.

Sensitive subject matter alone does not determine risk. The nature of participation, potential impact and safeguards are considered together.

What happens if a decision is disputed?

A researcher or student dissatisfied with an initial decision may escalate the matter to the Director of the Institute. If concerns remain unresolved, further review may involve external consultants to support fairness, transparency and robust ethical decision-making.

Responsibilities after approval

Researchers and students remain responsible for following approved protocols, managing data responsibly and lawfully, declaring conflicts of interest, and promptly reporting concerns, risks or adverse events.

The Research Ethics Committee reviews amendments, adverse events and ethical concerns. Its oversight may include the project register and decisions made under proportionate review.

Collaborative work requires clarity about attribution, authorship, intellectual property and data stewardship, alongside appropriate external ethics approval pathways.

Ethics enquiries

For ethics-related queries, contact the Research Director through the main SPARC research email address.

Contact the Research Director

laura.sparc@instituteofpsychosexualpsychotherapy.org