Who approves human ethics research?
At the University of Melbourne the Central
Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) has oversight of all matters pertaining to human research. Reporting to the HREC are three Human Ethics Sub-Committees (HESCs) – Health Sciences HESC, Behavioural & Social Sciences HESC, and Humanities & Applied Sciences HESC - which have responsibility for the review and approval of individual research projects. The membership of the HREC and each HESC is in accordance with the
National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (NHMRC, 2007). Human Ethics Advisory Groups (HEAGs), based in departments, schools or faculties, provide initial review of all ethics applications and report to HESCs.
1. HEAG review
HEAGs are located in faculties, schools, centres or departments and comprise academic staff and sometimes a postgraduate student. They:
- conduct technical and ethical reviews of all projects emanating from a department/school/centre/faculty;
- provide feedback to researchers on their research;
- have delegated authority to approve Minimal Risk applications;
- provide advice to the HESCs.
Contact your HEAG
2. HESC review
Projects that present more than low risk (as identified via the online application process) must be reviewed by a properly constituted human research ethics committee. Following an initial assessment by the HEAG such projects are referred to one of the University’s three discipline-based HESCs for review and approval. The HESCs review applications in the fields of:
- Health Sciences
- Behavioural and Social Science
- Humanities and Applied Sciences
Find HESC meetings and deadlines