Human Research Ethics Committee

Role of Notre Dame's Australia Human Research Ethics Committee

The Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) is responsible for ensuring that all University of Notre Dame Australia research involving human participants complies with State and Federal Government standards and is conducted with the highest possible ethical integrity.

An important guiding principle for the HREC is to enhance and maintain University of Notre Dame Australia’s reputation for research excellence.

Research Quality

Under the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research involving Humans the HREC is responsible for ensuring that planned research is of high quality and integrity.

Protection

The HREC works to protect research participants and the community at large. The Committee also protects the reputation of University of Notre Dame Australia and Notre Dame researchers.

Advice

The HREC provides a resource for researchers by commenting on a project from a variety of perspectives. The HREC often suggests ways in which projects may be modified to improve the research and to prevent possible difficulties.

Complaints Resolution

In rare cases there may be a complaint about a research project:

  1. Participants of research projects or members of the public with a complaint or concern about UNDA researchers or the conduct of UNDA HREC approved research projects.
  2. Staff members or students with a complaint or concern about UNDA researchers or the conduct of UNDA HREC approved research projects.
  3. Researchers with a complaint or concern about the conduct of the HREC in consideration of their research proposal.

If you have a complaint about a research project or about the HREC, you are encouraged to contact the Research Ethics Officer. You can chat confidentially with the Research Office Director or the Ethics Officer, enabling you to decide how best to proceed.  All complaints are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. You will be notified of the outcome of any investigations.

Composition of the HREC

The HREC consists of a minimum of 8 members comprising:

  1. A chairperson, with suitable experience.
  2. At least two lay people, one man and one woman, who have no affiliation with University of Notre Dame Australia, and do not currently engage in medical, scientific, legal or academic work.
  3. At least one person with knowledge of, and current experience in, the professional care, counseling or treatment of people
  4. At least one person who performs a pastoral care role in a community (e.g. Minster of Religion or Aboriginal Elder).
  5. At least one lawyer.
  6. At least two people with current research experience that is relevant to research proposals to be considered at the meetings.

  • Current HREC Members

    Prof Gerard Hoyne HREC Chair 
    Dr Alessandro Bressan Research Experience
    Dr Chris Joyce Research Experience
    Ms Jane Laurence Legal Representative
    Ms Beth Tippett Professional Care representative
    Dr Munyaradzi Nyandoro Professional Care representative
    A/Prof Dianne Chambers Research experience
    Mr Evan Platts Community Representative
    Dr Ashley Cripps Research Experience
    Dr Lachlan Baxter Professional Care Representative
    Fr Israel Quirit Pastoral Care Representative
    A/Prof Dale Edgar Research Experience/Professional Care Representative
    A/Professor Dee O'Connor Research Experience
    Prof Kylie Russell Research Experience
    Dr Liesa Clague Indigenous Representative
    Mr Marco Barciela Community Representative/Professional Care
    Mr Michael Rosario Community Representative
    Dr Michael Newton Community Representative/Professional Care
    Dr Monika Tschochner Research Experience
    Dr Ron Gorman Community Representative
    Dr Rupert Johnson Legal Representative
    A/Prof Sadie Geraghty Research Experience
    Dr Sagar Athota Research Experience
    Ms Sophie Benson Community Representative
    Dr Umar Ali Professional Care Representative
    Ms Wendy Manners Community Representative
    Dr Joel Zugai Research Experience