Human Research Ethics
The University of Newcastle is committed to the highest standard of ethical practice in research involving or impacting on humans.
All human research projects conducted at the University or by staff and students of the University require approval from the University's Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) before the research can commence. The HREC has responsibility for reviewing the ethical acceptability of research and ensuring compliance with regulatory and legislative requirements and University policies relating to human research. The principal point of reference for the HREC is the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. The primary purpose of the National Statement is the protection of the welfare and rights of participants in research. It is binding on all institutions and organisations that receive research funding from the Australian government.
Review Process
For human research requiring ethics approval, the University uses a risk assessment review model. Applications are reviewed for ethics approval using one of three assessment levels based on the risk to participants posed by the research. Two of the levels provide for expedited review of applications. This has streamlined the process for researchers and resulted in a reduction in processing time for the majority of applications.
Research Ethics Advisors (REAs) are located in Faculties to assist researchers, both staff and students, to design ethically acceptable human research and assist them through the ethics approval process. REAs are the first 'port-of-call' for researchers requiring assistance or advice on human research ethics matter.
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February 2011 - Recruiting members. The University is currently seeking expressions of interest from both internal academic staff and members of the community who wish to be considered for future vacancies on the University’s Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). To find out more, please refer to the Committee page of our web site December 2010 - Updated human ethics applications are now available from our website. The key changes made to the application forms are: all applications now only require electronic submission (no hard copies required); and investigator signatures are no longer required - applications are to be submitted under cover of the chief investigator's/project supervisor's email. Only applications which have been prepared using the most current documentation(ie, forms assigned with a 1210 version) can be accepted via this method. When preparing an application for submission, please ensure you access the most current version of the document by downloading from our web site each time an application is prepared. |