Human Research Ethics Committee

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Human Research Ethics Committee

The Human Research Ethics Committee reports on its activities to the Research Management Committee of the Academic Board, to the Council of the University of the Sunshine Coast and to the National Health and Medical Research Council.

Terms of reference

The Committee will, in relation to

(i) research conducted by staff or research students of the University of the Sunshine Coast which involves human participants, whether conducted as part of a teaching program or course or not; and

(ii) teaching/learning activities that involve humans as research participants and where participation by any persons in those research-related activities has a potential for causing harm to the well-being of participants, whether physically, psychologically, spiritually or emotionally or a potential for infringement of their privacy or of the confidentiality or ownership that attaches to information on or about those participants or where their involvement imposes burdens on them with little benefit:

1. satisfy itself that the conduct of any research proposal or proposed or actual teaching/learning activity involving humans as research participants will protect the welfare and the rights of human participants in the research or teaching/learning activity;
2. review written proposals relevant to the involvement of humans in research and/or teaching/learning activities involving humans as research participants in which the human involvement has potential for infringing the basic ethical principles contained in the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research Involving Humans;
3. following such review, approve or require amendment of, or reject such proposals, using the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research Involving Humans as the standard for that review;
4. monitor the conduct of approved research involving humans or teaching/learning which involves humans as research participants;
5. examine and comment on all institutional plans and policies, which may affect the welfare and rights of human participants in research and teaching/learning activities involving humans as research participants;
6. recommend to Council any measures needed to ensure that the requirements and standards of the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research Involving Humans as published from time to time, and the Joint NHMRC/AVCC Statement and Guidelines on Research Practice, are met and maintained;
7. ensure that the requirements and standards endorsed by the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research Involving Humans as published from time to time, and the Joint NHMRC/AVCC Statement and Guidelines on Research Practice, and of relevant Commonwealth and Queensland legislation, are met;
8. perform all other duties required by the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research Involving Humans, the Joint NHMRC/AVCC Statement and Guidelines on Research Practice and by relevant Commonwealth and Queensland legislation;
9. report annually to the NHMRC information as required in the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research Involving Humans;
10. following the University's establishment of mechanisms for receiving and promptly handling complaints or concerns about the conduct of an approved research project or a teaching/learning activity involving use of humans as research participants, nominate, from time to time, a person to whom complaints from research participants, researchers or others may be made initially.

Membership

• A Chairperson, who shall be a member of the staff of the University
• At least two laypersons, at least one of each gender, preferably from the local community, with no affiliation with the institution, who are not currently involved in medical, scientific or legal work
• At least one person with knowledge of and experience in areas of human research regularly considered by the committee
• At least one person with knowledge of and experience in professional care, counselling or treatment of people
• At least one person who is a minister of religion or similar
• At least one person who is a lawyer

Tenure and frequency of meetings

• The term of office of an appointed member will normally be three years, with the option of reappointment for subsequent terms.
• The Committee shall determine the frequency of its meetings.
• The Committee may invite the attendance and (non-voting) participation at its meetings of such persons who, by reason of their special expertise or experience, can assist the Committee's deliberations on any particular matter or matters.