May 7, 2025 – Winnipeg, Manitoba
Research Manitoba, through the RITHIM initiative, is proud to announce the results of user acceptance testing (UAT) on the new RITHIM software system — a groundbreaking step toward transforming the way health research ethics, privacy, and health institutional reviews are conducted across Manitoba.
In total 33 individuals —including applicants, and ethics, privacy, and health institutional reviewers— participated in the system testing phase. Feedback has been both insightful and encouraging. Testers praised the system’s intuitive interface, simple navigation, and clarity. Applicant testers also highlighted the system’s usability, transparency, and efficiency. Throughout the testing phase, the RITHIM team listened closely to testers, creating a platform shaped by real user needs.
Judy Dandurand, Access and Privacy Officer, University of Manitoba: “I went through the new software, and I absolutely love it! It’s very intuitive. It will most definitely make reviewing submissions much easier. Looking forward to transitioning to the software!”
Dylan Stapenhorst MacKay, Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Chronic Disease, University of Manitoba: “I was really happy with the new platform. I think in particular the improved quality of the applications will lead to faster processing and ultimately more and better research in Manitoba.”
The June University of Manitoba Bannatyne Research Ethics Board meetings will feature the first invited applications reviewed through the new system as part of a soft launch— paving the way for full implementation and ushering in the future of health research ethics reviews in Manitoba.