Division of Research

Submitting Complaints and Concerns

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Submitting Complaints and Concerns

Research participants, their family members and others may have complaints, concerns or questions about a Brown research study and are encouraged to submit these concerns to the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) confidentially or anonymously.

The HRPP team takes seriously any complaints or concerns about the safety, rights and welfare of participants involved in research studies at Brown and its affiliated sites that are reviewed by Brown’s Institutional Review Board (IRB). The person making a complaint or reporting a concern does not have to identify themselves, unless they would like HRPP staff to contact them to gather more information or to hear how the team may have addressed their concern.

Some research complaints or concerns (for example, regarding missed compensation) may be easily addressed by speaking directly with the study investigators or study staff. HRPP staff understand, however, that in some circumstances you may not wish to speak directly with the study investigator.

How to Contact the Study Staff

Most research studies have a consent document that you, as a study participant, may have read or signed when you considered whether you would like to enroll in the study. The consent document included a section called “Contact Information” or “Who Can I Talk To If I Have Questions About This Study” that explains how you can contact the study team directly if you wish to do so.

Please let HRPP staff know if you are having difficulties with this process (irb@brown.edu).

Reporting Your Concerns to the HRPP

Complaints, concerns, or questions may be directed to the HRPP online, by phone or in writing. If available to you, the following information will help staff begin working to resolve your concern:

  • The name of the study
  • The IRB study number (listed on a flyer — for example STUDY04)
  • The name of the principal investigator (PI)

This information will be helpful but is not required to communicate a complaint, concern or question.

Ways to Report Your Concerns

You may choose to report a complaint, concern or question in any of the ways listed below:

Complete the Online Reporting Form

You may submit a concern or complaint about human subjects research by completing the confidential HRPP Online Reporting Form.

Report a Concern or Complaint to HRPP (Online Form)

Email Brown Leadership

You may confidentially email Brown leadership overseeing research compliance and integrity concerns: the Senior Director of Research Integrity, the Associate Vice President for Research, or the Vice President for Research, who serves as Brown’s Institutional Official for human subjects research

Use Brown’s Anonymous Reporting Hotline

You also may submit your concerns through EthicsPoint, Brown’s third-party anonymous reporting website, or call them toll-free at 877-318-9184.

Brown’s Anonymous Reporting Hotline

Contact the HRPP Team

You may email, call or write to the HRPP team with any questions or concerns. Phone lines are monitored Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Email

irb@brown.edu

Phone

401-863-3050 

Toll-Free Phone

1-866-309-2095

Address

Brown University
Human Research Protection Program
Attn: Reporting
Box 1986
350 Eddy Street
Providence, RI 02912

How the HRPP Responds to Your Complaint or Concern

Select HRPP staff and IRB members handle research complaints or concerns. They will review the information you have sent and someone from the team will contact you. If needed, they will follow up with appropriate actions to try to address your complaint or concern as quickly as possible.

All information will be kept as confidential as possible and will only be used to contact you to follow up on your complaint or concern. Brown provides whistleblower protection for anyone who reports an activity that violates any regulations and policies involving human subjects research.