​​​​Health Research Ethics


All health research, as defined by the National Health Act, must be reviewed and approved by a research ethics committee registered with the National Health Research Ethics Council. Thus all health-related research involving:

  • any direct interaction with or observation of human participants,
  • the use of potentially identifiable personal health records, information or tissue specimens, and/or
  • human progenitor or stem cells

requires the approval of a Stellenbosch University Research Ethics Committee (REC) BEFORE the research study commences.

Both HRECs  review the full range of health research involving human subjects currently conducted under the auspices of Stellenbosch University.

Health Research Ethics Committee 1 (HREC1) meets on the first Wednesday of every month. 

Mrs Melody Shana is the Secretary to this HREC.
Contact details: Tel: 021 938 9657/ E-mail: melodys@sun.ac.za

Health Research Ethics Committee 2 (HREC2) meets on the third Wednesday of every month. 

Mrs Brightness Nxumalo is the Secretary to this HREC.
Contact details: Tel: 021 938 9207/ E-mail: brightness@sun.ac.za​