Forming a Human Ethics Advisory Group (HEAG)
All departments, schools, centres and faculties that conduct human research must establish a HEAG or make arrangements to join another. A HEAG:- conducts technical and ethical reviews of all projects emanating from a department/school/centre/faculty;
- provides feedback to researchers on their applications;
- has delegated authority to approve Minimal Risk applications;
- provides advice to Human Ethics Sub-Committees (HESC).
Find existing HEAGs
Registering a HEAG
Prepare a letter to the DVC (Research) and include the following:- HEAG name and administrator contact details
- HEAG Chair contact details.
- HEAG membership (will comprise at least three members of academic staff, including one senior academic, and a postgraduate student if possible).
- Written agreement to operate in accordance with the HEAG Terms of Reference, University policies, and the National Statement.
Operational requirements
- The Department/School/Centre agrees to provide an education program to students and brief staff with regard to human research ethics.
- Should the external sponsor or host of any project require that the project be approved by a fully constituted human research ethics committee, the HEAG must refer this project to a Human Ethics Sub-Committee (HESC).
- Low risk projects may be approved by the HEAG using the Minimal Risk Review or Project-within-Program process, assuming the research meets the criteria for these approvals. All other research must be submitted via the HEAG to the HESC for approval. The HEAG is to review the project and provide a recommendation for approval. The HEAG may refer any project it wishes to the HESC at any stage.
- All research must have ethics approval before it can proceed. Any appeal against a HEAG decision should be forwarded to the relevant HESC.
- The HEAG Chair and Administrator will require administrator access to departmental functions within the Themis Human Ethics module. Complete a Themis Responsibility Access Form and fax to Themis Access on 8344 2765. Also contact the Human Ethics Office to arrange training.