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Overview of Research Ethics at Griffith University

In accordance with the National Statement of Ethical Conduct in Research Involving Humans, the University has established the Griffith University Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). This committee is responsible for considering applications for ethical clearance, monitoring the conduct of approved protocols, and advising the institution on the formulation of policies and guidelines for this area.

The previous 6 years have seen a rapid pace of change in the regulation of human research ethics in Australia. During the same period the volume and complexity of human research within the university has increased. In light of concerns expressed by some researchers and a desire to ensure that the University's research ethics arrangements will keep pace with international best practice, the University conducted wide-ranging review of the University's arrangements.

The Review report made a number of significant recommendations that were accepted by the Academic Committee at its 11 September meeting, 2003. The main features of the new arrangements include:

  1. The creation of a three-level proportional ethical review regime, in which the paperwork and processing will be matched to the ethical sensitivity and risk of the research.
  2. The appointment of Research Ethics Advisors within the various schools and centres of the University. These members of Academic staff provide advice to researchers on research ethics matters and facilitate greater communication between the HREC and the wider University community.
  3. The establishment of a booklet-based, research ethics manual. The Griffith University Research Ethics Manual is a source of advice and guidance to researchers designing and conducting research, a reference point and source of corporate knowledge for the two ethics committees, and a public articulation of the University's compliance with various requirements and standards.
  4. The establishment of a number of streamlined processes to better meet the needs of research teams (eg registered procedures in common use in the Centre or School, course-wide ethical clearances for research activities conducted by students, and clearer variation processes).
  5. The appointment of a Manager, Research Ethics and a Research Ethics Officer to provide a more strategic level of support to the work of the two ethics committees.

The process of reform has continued in recent years, including the conduct of training for students, supervisors and other researchers, the production of resources, updates and improvements to the Ethics Manuals, and the introductions of new processes (eg the special process for research that has previously been approved by another research ethics committee).

In 2008 the University commenced the implementation of the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2007) and this remains an area of important work for the governance of ethical and appropriate conduct of research conducted under the auspices of the University.

Also in 2008 the University appointed a Senior Policy officer with a specific role with regards to clinical research ethics and research integrity.