Frequently Asked Questions

What is iRECS?

iRECS is the incoming online research ethics and compliance system at UNSW. It will enable a whole-of-life research ethics and compliance approach, from application to committee review through to project closure. iRECS will cater for human research ethics, clinical trials governance, animal research ethics, gene technology, biologically regulated materials, and radiation research safety projects across UNSW. From 2022-23, it will replace all existing systems for Animal Ethics, Human Ethics, Gene Technology, and Radiation Safety. The iRECS Project Team are actively collaborating with key stakeholders across UNSW to ensure the iRECS system will be effective, fit-for-purpose and well-accepted by its user base

Do I need to apply for access to iRECS

<Internal UNSW staff & research students> All existing UNSW academic and professional staff, research students, affiliates, conjoints, adjuncts, and students with a ZID from select MRIs (i.e. those who have a UNSW email address) will automatically be granted access to the iRECS platform. No registration is required. You can log on to iRECS by clicking on the University Login button on the login page. <External Users> If you are an external user, access to the iRECS portal will be granted in the following steps: 1. Send an email to the relevant UNSW Research Ethics & Compliance (RECS) team requesting access to iRECS along with the rationale for your access request: Human Ethics: humanethics@unsw.edu.au Animal Ethics: animalethics@unsw.edu.au Gene Technology: genetechnology@unsw.edu.au Radiation Safety: radiationresearch@unsw.edu.au 2. The RECS team will review your request (they may reach out for more information if necessary) and will then arrange for you to be granted access to iRECS. 3. Once your access request is granted, you will receive your login details (login email; temporary password) via email. 4. Log on to iRECS via the External Login button. 5. You can change/update your password by clicking on the “Forgotten Password” link on the login pop-up.

How can I update my password / I forgot my password what should I do?

<Internal UNSW staff & research students> All password change requests will need to be lodged through UNSW Identity Manager https://idm.unsw.edu.au/idm/user/login.jsp <External Users> If you are an external user: 1. Navigate to https://irecs.unsw.edu.au/ 2. Click on the External Login button on the login page 3. Enter your email. 4. Click on the Forgotten Password hyperlink and follow the prompts to update your password.

Where can I get information on how to navigate the iRECS platform?

Instructions on iRECS navigation can be found in the Help section of the Help. You can navigate to the relevant section by clicking on the hyperlinks on the page

What if project collaborator/personnel details do not automatically populate into the relevant personnel form fields after selecting their name in the user search box dropdown?

We recommend: 1. Double clicking on the name as it appear in the drop down list; or 2. Clicking on the Tab and then the Enter button after entering the project collaborator/personnel name into the user search box.

When will the transition to iRECS occur?

The roll-out of the iRECS Gene Technology, Radiation Safety, Human Ethics, and Animal Ethics modules will be done in a staggered manner (three phases), with each phase consisting of four key stages: 1. Build: Phase of the project where ethics forms and processes are being built in iRECS 2. Demonstrate/Refinement: Phase of the project where end users (administrators, applicants, reviewers) are demonstrated iRECS in action and provide feedback. Refinements are made to the tool where necessary. 3. Data Migration: Phase of the project where current/active ethics records are mapped and migrated from existing systems into iRECS. 4. Go-Live: The date that iRECS is accessible to users: Gene Technology & Radiation Safety Build: Mar – Sep 2022 Demo/Refine: Sept 2022 Data Migration: Oct – Nov 2022 Go-Live: Q4 2022 (Dec 2022) Human Ethics & Clinical Trials Build: Apr – Aug 2022 / Jan 2023 Demo/Refine: Feb 2023 Data Migration: Feb 2023 – Apr 2023 Go-Live (Tentative): Q2 2023 Animal Ethics Build: Apr – Aug 2022 / Apr 2023 Demo/Refine: Apr 2023 Data Migration: May – June 2023 Go-Live (Tentative): Q3 2023