The University of Georgia’s program for ensuring the safety and protection of human subjects who participate in research has been awarded accreditation from the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs. This is the first time UGA has applied for this accreditation. Accreditation by this international organization is particularly important as UGA engages in more clinically related research.
“Receiving accreditation on the first attempt is a tribute to the hard work and careful preparation of a team led by Dr. Benil Pooser in our Human Subjects Office,” said David Lee, UGA vice president for research.
“We have prided ourselves for many years on the excellence of our program, and we’re gratified that this now has been formally recognized through the AAHRPP accreditation,” said Chris King, associate vice president for research.
UGA officials were notified in June after a site visit in the spring, during which the university’s program was evaluated based on 15 standards and 60 different elements.
“In today’s complex research environment, AAHRPP’s emphasis on quality, safety and protections for research participants has never been more important,” said Elyse Summers, AAHRPP president and CEO.
To earn AAHRPP accreditation, organizations must show that they have built extensive safeguards into every level of their research operation and that they adhere to high standards for research. Programs are evaluated for reaccreditation three years after their initial accreditation and every five years thereafter.
For more information on UGA’s Human Research Protection Program, which is directed by Kimberly Fowler, visit research.uga.edu/hrpp.