Highline Institutional Review Board (IRB)
The IRB and Research at Highline College
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) provides an essential campus service by allowing our community to engage in local human research projects. IRB members represent Highline community concerns and emphasize transparency for research projects that involve our students or employees. The IRB ensures compliance with federal ethical standards in human research, and is responsible for establishing institution-specific guidelines for ethical compliance.
Contact Information
Email: irb@highline.edu
Board Membership
Voting Members
- Kristen Raine, Psychology Faculty, IRB Chair
- Samora Covington, Psychology Faculty
- Christie Knighton, ELCAP Faculty
- Andy Phung, Biochemistry/Behavioral Science Student, Community Representative
- Gerie Ventura, Associate Dean of Library and Student Learning Resources
- Jodi White, Education Faculty
- Maggie Yeh, Psychology Faculty
Board Alternates
- Jenessa Pettit, Nursing Faculty
- Kelsey Anderson, IR Research Analyst, IRB Administrative Support
Should My Project Be Submitted for Review?
In accordance with federal regulations, the Highline College IRB must review all research involving human subjects related to our campus. If you are doing research on living people or information connected to living people, then you must submit your research project application to the IRB for approval prior to starting. When in doubt, ask us! We’re here to help.
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What is research?
Research is a systematic investigation designed to develop knowledge that adds to generalized knowledge in a field. If you plan to present or publish the work or otherwise share results of the study outside of Highline, it is probably research.
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What are human subjects?
Human subjects are defined as: living individual(s) about whom an investigator conducting research obtains (1) data through intervention or interaction with the individual; or (2) identifiable private information.
Review Process
New Research Study Application
If you would like to submit a new research proposal for review, please submit our IRB application here.
Please allow five business days for an initial response. A determination may take longer, especially if more information is needed or a full board convening is necessary (though this is rare).Update or Change a Previous Research Study
If you need to update, change, or report issues on a previously submitted project, please email us at irb@highline.edu, include your study’s name, the primary investigator’s name and let us know what you need.
Unsure what to do?
If you are uncertain if your project needs to be submitted for IRB review, please reach out (irb@highline.edu). We are happy to help you make that determination.
Consent and Use of Highline Data
IRB review and approval only considers the ethics of your study. Your right to use data belonging to Highline or to people affiliated with Highline (like our students) is protected by privacy law and the IRB cannot allow (or deny) its use.
Participant Consent
Our more detailed page with consent guidance is currently under construction.
For direct interactions with students or employees, (as in surveys, focus groups, behavioral interventions, collection of class work, etc.) you will need to gather consent from each participant. While you wait for Highline specific guidance, the checklist provided by the Federal Office of Human Research Protections is a good starting reference.
Institutional Data Use
Our more detailed page with guidance to gain permissions to access institutional data is under construction.
For research use of data that Highline maintains (our institutional data) permission is more complicated than individual participant consent. You can start by following the instructions on this page. Please be sure to mention the purpose for which you are requesting data (i.e. your research), as it will help us appropriately route your request for permissions.