Ann Bainbridge Frymier, a professor in the Department of Media, Journalism, and Film, has been appointed as the chair of Miami University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB).

IRBs exist to protect the rights and welfare of human subjects recruited by the institution’s researchers to participate in research activities. The IRB is responsible for reviewing researcher-submitted applications to ensure the proposed research activities comply with the federal Common Rule, the Belmont Report principles, and Miami University policies.

The chair is responsible for leading IRB meetings and coordinating timely responses to IRB applications and/or research ethics questions. In addition, at Miami, where the majority of IRB applications are submitted by graduate and undergraduate students, a significant function of the IRB chair is to educate students about incorporating ethics into their research through the IRB application and review process. The chair helps improve the quality of student research projects by working with students as they engage with the IRB.

Frymier, whose scholarship has focused largely on instructional communication, is especially suited to handling the educational aspect of the position. Beyond that, her other qualifications include being a tenured professor and an established researcher with an interest in research ethics.

Student research photo by Scott Kissell, Miami University Photo Services. Photo of Ann Bainbridge Frymier by Miami University Photo Services.