Placeholder for header/hero
Subtitle

The Institutional Review Board

Widgets

The IRB is responsible for implementing policies and procedures that protect the rights and welfare of human subjects utilized in any university affiliated research project. Before you can begin to collect data, an application must be filed with and approved by the IRB using BP Logix eForms.

The university requires research (a systematic investigation designed to contribute to generalizable knowledge) with human subjects (a living individual about whom an investigator obtains data through interaction or identifiable private information) be reviewed and approved by the IRB.

UW-Eau Claire Institutional Review Board Guidance

Research is a systemic investigation that contributes to generalizable knowledge. [45 CFR 46.102 (I)]

System Investigation

A systemic investigation uses a technique (e.g. survey, interview, observational study) for studying an area of interest, testing a hypotheses, answering specific questions, or developing some kind of theory.

Designed to develop or contribute to...

Generalizable Knowledge

Generalizable knowledge is information where the intended use of the research findings can be applied to populations or situations beyond those studied.

Not Research Per Federal Guidelines

  • Oral history
  • Journalism
  • Literary criticism
  • Legal research
  • Historical scholarship
  • Some Public Health Surveillance activities under the direction of a public health authority

Not Research Per UW-Eau Claire Guidelines

  • Some classroom activities that teach research methods or simulate research activities
  • Some activities conducted to improve the quality of teaching in the classroom
  • Some activities required for Quality Assessment or Quality Improvement
  • Institutional research studies not intended to be generalized outside of UW-Eau Claire
  • Evaluation of speaker or presentation for the purposes of improving future presentations

The following is an online guide designed to familiarize readers with the IRB and its policies and application process.

Policies and Procedures for Protection of Human Subjects in Research
How to Submit to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) - Includes eForm Instructions.

eForms (BP Logix)

The current IRB Committee Chair is Michael Axelrod (August 2026), 715-836-5020. Please contact him with any questions relating to the IRB. 

IRB Members 2024-25

  • Liqiang Chen, Ph.D., Department Information Systems - Spring 2027
  • Tom Sather, Ph.D., Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders - Spring 2027
  • Laura Suppes, Ph.D., Watershed Institute (science member) - Spring 2027
  • Matthew Meyer, Ph.D., Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies (non-science member) - August 2025
  • Mary Beth Leibham, Ph.D., Department of Psychology - August 2026
  • Nichole Miller, M.S.Ed., Advising, Retention, and Career Center - August 2026
  • Taylor Kaplan, Student Member - Summer 2026
  • Mary Tornehl, M.D., Community Member - August 2026
  • Erica Benson, PhD., Executive Director ORSP (ex officio and non-voting)
  • Melissa Wallace, ORSP, Research Compliance Specialist, IRB Secretary

Institutional Review Board Committee Meetings

For the 2024-25 academic year, the IRB committee is tentatively scheduled to meet from 2:00 - 3:30 pm on the following dates: 

  • September 13, 2024
  • October 11, 2024
  • November 8, 2024 
  • December 13, 2024
  • January 10, 2025 
  • February 14, 2025
  • March 14, 2025
  • April 111, 2025 
  • May 9, 2025

Meetings in June, July, and August will be scheduled as needed. 

If you would like more information about the monthly IRB meeting please contact Mike Axelrod IRB Chair or Melissa Wallace, Research Compliance Specialist.

Please note that all scheduled meetings will be held only as needed.

Page Family

Office of Research and Sponsored Programs

Schofield Hall 17
105 Garfield Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54701
United States