Clinical Research Oversight Committees
Last updated on 18 March 2026
The Clinical Research Compliance Team (CRCT) report to two oversight committees (C-ROC and HTOC) on their Sponsor/Institutional oversight activities. As sponsor for clinical research, the University is responsible for quality assurance through appropriate oversight as well as for supporting research. The structure for doing this is outlined in the University of Birmingham (UoB)'s Clinical Research Quality Manual (UoB-CQM-POL-001) (Word - 407 KB). If you have any general enquires about the oversight committees, please send these to crct@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
Clinical Research Oversight Committee (C-ROC)
The C-ROC [formally known as the Clinical Trials Oversight Committee (CTOC)] is responsible for overseeing the activities undertaken by UoB in its role as a sponsor, host institution or partner with other organisations for clinical research. The C-ROC is specifically responsible for managing the development, implementation and maintenance of an effective support infrastructure for all clinical research. This includes Clinical Trials of Investigational Medicinal Products (CTIMPs) (including use of advanced therapies), clinical investigations of a medicial device, trials conducted through the UoB’s UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC)-registered Clinical Trials Units (CTUs) and other interventional trials (e.g. surgical trials, trials and non-CTIMP trials), and clinical studies outside of a UoB CTU. In addition, the C-ROC provide oversight of any clinical research where a UoB Research Ethics Committee has stipulated that the research must be conducted to the UoB Principles of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) for Clinical Research (UoB-GCP-POL-001) (Word - 303 KB). It provides advice on decisions concerning whether particular trials are appropriate for Sponsorship, and acts as the referral point for issues arising during clinical research. The Research Ethics, Governance & Integrity Team (REGI) and the CRCT report to the C-ROC on their Sponsor oversight activities. The C-ROC meet approximately every 6-8 weeks.
If you wish to speak to the Committee's Chair (e.g., to find out about the committee or to raise a matter to C-ROC), please contact Professor Colin Watts.
Human Tissue Oversight Committee (HTOC)
The HTOC is responsible for overseeing all activities surrounding the use of human tissue at UoB. The HTOC provides support for quality assurance and risk management process in relation to activities carried out under the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) licences held by UoB. The HTOC also provides support and oversight for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Manufacturing and Importation Authorisation (Investigational Medicinal Products) (MIA(IMP)) licence and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) research licence held by UoB. The HTOC is also responsible for overseeing GCP compliance in laboratories undertaking the analyses of clinical trial samples at UoB. The HTOC meet approximately every 3 months.
If you wish to speak to one of the academic represents on HTOC (e.g., to find out about the committee or to raise a matter to HTOC), please contact: for the College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Dr Alex Wadley.
Reporting pathways for Oversight Committees
The C-ROC and HTOC report to the UoB Research Governance, Ethics and Integrity Committee (RGEIC); a university level committee. Both committees have members representing from the College of Life and Environmental Sciences and issues may be escalated to the PVC and Head of College when they concern activity within their college. The C-ROC and HTOC also provide meeting minutes to the Internal Audit Service (a unit within the University Finance Office) and the applicable Research & Knowledge Transfer committees in the College of Medicine and Health and the College of Life and Environmental Sciences.