Animal Research Ethics Committee (AREC)

Overview
The Animal Research Ethics Committee (AREC) is an ethics committee dedicated to the ethical review of all animal-related research at the University of the Free State. It consists of members from various fields relating to animal care and studies (zoologists, veterinarians, animal care providers, etc.). This committee is focused on research that uses both vertebrate and invertebrate animals. Just as human participants are privy to rights, so are animals, and it is with this in mind that ethical behaviour is to be maintained where animals are concerned. AREC ensures that every possible care is taken before approving studies on animals. AREC's scope of functioning is not limited to researchers affiliated with animal-specific departments. If a psychology researcher were to research the resilience levels of people with dog companions, that study would also have to be reviewed by AREC to ensure that both the human participants and animal participants are treated in an ethically sound manner.
Composition
- Chair
- Vice-Chair
- Veterinarian
- Animal-welfare consultant
- Animal scientist
- Consultant
- Adviser
- Biostatistician
- Members from various departments relating to animal studies
AREC meeting dates for 2025
Submission deadlines
1 February 2025
1 March 2025
1 April 2025
1 May 2025
1 June 2025
1 July 2025
1 August 2025
1 September 2025
1 October 2025
1 November 2025
Meeting dates
18 February 2025
18 March 2025
15 April 2025
20 May 2025
17 June 2025
22 July 2025
19 August 2025
16 September 2025
21 October 2025
18 November 2025
Please note:
- The deadlines refer to the dates by which applications must reach the ethics office. Therefore, applications submitted to a supervisor must be accepted by the supervisor before the deadline.
Contact me
Boemo Segoje
Officer: RIMS, Ethics and Creative Outputs
T: +27 51 401 7619
E: SegojeBC@ufs.ac.za
Johannes Brill Building, First Floor, Bloemfontein Campus