The Research Ethics & Compliance Committee (REC) of the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) serves a critical role in addressing a broad array of topics relevant to research compliance and ethics within academic institutions. Chaired by Naomi Schrag of Columbia University and composed of representatives from leading research universities and organizations—including several at-large members—the REC maintains a dynamic portfolio that covers issues such as conflict of interest and commitment, research integrity and misconduct, responsible conduct of research, privacy regulations, research using controlled substances, and compliance with human and animal subjects research requirements, among others. The committee is attentive to shifts in the regulatory environment, ensuring that its focus areas adapt as necessary to new challenges, including intersecting domains such as research security under the scope of NSPM-33.
Operationally, the REC convenes twice monthly to discuss agenda items that include regulatory updates, feedback polls, responses to requests for information or notices of proposed rulemaking, and presentations from invited speakers. The committee communicates consistently with the broader COGR membership through regular reports and engages both REC members and external experts in working groups and cross-committee initiatives. Recent notable activities include drafting a letter to the NSF regarding a data analytics tool, developing a framework for evaluating global engagements in research, formulating principles for managing conflict of commitment concerns, providing analysis and recommendations related to NSPM-33, and addressing administrative burdens in animal research in response to federal inquiries. Through these efforts, the REC ensures ongoing support, guidance, and advocacy for compliance, ethics, and integrity in academic research.
