What is the HRPP/IRB?
Human Research Protections Program
"Subjects" implies a hierarchy where research is done on and to a passive participant. In contrast, "participants" affirms respect for persons by reflecting a mutual endeavor between a researcher and an informed, active participant.
Many people will probably continue to refer to the HRPP as "the IRB," and that's okay! But for clarity, the Human Research Protections Program (HRPP), under the Vice Provost for Research, serves as the research integrity office supporting human participant research and other activities involving data collection from individuals. The HRPP Administrator reviews submissions; updates policies/practices based on current regulations, best practices in ethical human participant research, and input from the IRB Chair and Board; conducts educational outreach on research ethics for the campus community; and manages all office processing.
As a body within the HRPP, the WWU Institutional Review Board (IRB) is registered with the U.S. Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The IRB has 12 appointed members: WWU affiliates from disciplines, as well as a non-affiliate member to represent the surrounding community. IRB members review certain expedited submissions, convene to review full-board protocols needing higher-level risk evaluation and reduction, and provide input on HRPP policies and procedures. Our Board members also serve as liaisons to the campus community in offering general information about the review process and discipline-specific assistance with protocol preparation and risk-assessment.
As part of Research Integrity and Compliance within the Office of the Vice Provost for Research, the Western Washington University Human Research Protections Program (HRPP) and the Institutional Review Board (IRB) work to ensure compliance with the HHS Regulations for the Protection of Human Research Participants 45CFR46 (2018 "Common Rule") (formally applicable only to federally funded research) by supporting faculty, staff, and students conducting human participant research and/or engaging in non-research activities that collect data from living individuals or work with their identifiable information.
In addition to upholding the Common Rule, which provides and emphasizes the regulatory basis for WWU HRPP policies and procedures, we support research integrity by grounding practices in the ethical principles of the 1979 Belmont Report: respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. With this broader lens, we emphasize respect for individuals and their personal data throughout our processes:
- informing the campus community about regulatory changes and best practices in conducting ethical research
- reviewing and approving human participant research protocols
- helping evaluate and reduce risks when projects may involve activities not encountered in normal daily life (or that may pose greater risk to certain populations)
FWA and IORG
Federalwide Assurance: FWA00001207 (Exp. 10/31/26)
WWU Institution Number: IORG0001206 (Exp. 6/30/25)
HHS IRB Registration: IRB00001615
Now Available!
WWU Human Research Protections Program (HRPP) Policies and Procedures Manual
The HRPP Administrator, Institutional Review Board (IRB) Chair, and IRB members approved this Manual on December 10, 2024. The Institutional Official (IO) provided final approval on February 14, 2025, and this policy is effective immediately.
Note: The Table of Contents provides links to all sections, topics, and subtopics. To search for particular terms or information, use Control + F (PC) or Command + F (Mac).