Human research ethics

UniSC's Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) is responsible for ensuring that research involving humans is conducted ethically and that the welfare and rights of participants in research are protected.

The Committee assesses applications using the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research as the standard for evaluating applications.

All members of a research team have shared responsibility for the ethical conduct of research, and must be aware of and satisfied with the degree to which the conduct of the research meets national requirements and university policy.

Animal ethics

UniSC's Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) is responsible for ensuring that all activities relating to the care and use of animals are conducted in compliance with the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes, 8th Edition (2013).

All members of a research team have shared responsibility for the ethical conduct of research, teaching and animal facility management, and must be aware of and satisfied with the degree to which the conduct of the research meets national and state requirements and university policy.

Volunteer on a UniSC ethics committee

Research is an important part of UniSC’s landscape with a key focus in identifying emerging research concentrations to advance its reputation as a quality research institution. Our researchers collaborate with local, national and international governments, institutions and industries to deliver innovative, high-quality research with real impact.

In 2018, the Australian Research Council ranked UniSC well above or above world standard in seventeen key research areas and equal to world standard in nine others.

Research and teaching involving humans and animals is approved and monitored by the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) and Animal Ethics Committee (AEC).

These committees have an important role in ensuring adherence to state and national legislation and codes of practice. The committees also ensure that all research and teaching is undertaken with the highest standards of ethics and welfare.

HREC members include lawyers, people with pastoral care roles, health professionals (counsellors, nurses, doctors) and lay persons. AEC members include veterinarians, researchers, people with animal care and welfare roles, and lay persons. The HREC and AEC have a balance of academic staff and community representatives unaffiliated with the university.

This is an exciting time to be a member of the HREC or AEC as the university continues to expand human and animal research that is recognized nationally and internationally.

To register your interest in serving on an ethics committee, or to request further information, please phone 07 5430 2823 or email the HREC Secretary at humanethics@usc.edu.au or the AEC Secretary at animalethics@usc.edu.au.

Research integrity

UniSC is a dynamic university that is committed to increasing research productivity and impact. UniSC's researchers collaborate with local, national and international governments, institutions, and industry to deliver innovative, high-quality research with real impact. In 2018, the Australian Research Council ranked UniSC well above or above world standard in seventeen key research areas and equal to world standard in nine others.

To support UniSC's research activities, the Office of Research is committed to promoting responsible research practices and fostering a strong and sustainable research culture that is built upon the highest standard of honesty, integrity, compliance, and respect for human research participants, animals and the environment.

We aim to achieve this through training and support for researchers and research trainees, and by maintaining a framework that embeds the requirements of the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research into UniSC's research activities.

Further information and contacts

Refer to the Student Portal (for students) or MyUniSC (for staff) for the information, resources and forms needed to:

• prepare to apply for human research ethics or animal ethics approval
• apply for human research ethics or animal ethics approval
• manage a human research ethics or animal ethics approved project

Contact the ethics and integrity team on Tel: +61 7 5459 4574 or +61 7 5430 2823 or via email humanethics@usc.edu.au or animalethics@usc.edu.au or researchintegrity@usc.edu.au