Start Smart: Navigating IRB, HRPP, & FERPA for Responsible Classroom Research In-Person / Online

Are you ready to turn your teaching into research but are unsure how to navigate the IRB process? Join us for this practical workshop focused on the ethical and regulatory considerations of conducting Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) research in your own classroom. We’ll clarify when classroom inquiry becomes human subjects research, explain how FERPA applies to SoTL, and walk you through MSU’s IRB and HRPP requirements. You'll explore common exemption categories, learn how to responsibly manage student data, and leave with a clear understanding of the steps needed to design SoTL studies that are both compliant and student-centered.

Whether you're just beginning or refining a project idea, this session will help you start smart with confidence and integrity.

Upon completion of this learning experience, participants will be able to:

explain when classroom-based teaching inquiries become SoTL research that requires IRB approval
describe how FERPA applies to SoTL and when student consent is needed to use course data
understand the steps instructors must take to ethically conduct research in their own courses
identify common IRB exemption categories relevant to SoTL and understand how to apply for them at MSU
analyze example SoTL projects to determine the appropriate ethical and IRB considerations
locate MSU resources and support services for planning and submitting SoTL research involving human subjects and student data.

Date:: Friday, September 26, 2025
Time:: 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Time Zone:: Eastern Time - US & Canada (change)
Audience:: Educator Network In-Class Educators
Categories:: Community of Practice Community-Engaged Learning Curriculum Development DEIB & Student Success EdTech Educator Networking Educator Onboarding Evaluation & Assessment Experiential Learning Guest Speakers Hybrid Session Improving Courses In-person Session Interdisciplinary Learning Lifelong Learning Online Session Special Topics Student Feedback Synchronous Session

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Start Smart: Navigating IRB, HRPP, & FERPA for Responsible Classroom Research In-Person / Online