The Victoria University Human Research Ethics Committee (VUHREC) oversees the conduct of all VU research involving humans. We review all high-risk applications and applications from other institutions.
The Low Risk Human Research Ethics Panel (LRHREP) reviews applications deemed to be low or negligible risk. All LRHREP approvals are submitted to the VUHREC for ratification.
The University's Human Research Ethics Committee is guided by the Victoria University Human Research Ethics Committee Terms of Reference.
These Terms of Reference are based on the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research, the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and Commonwealth and state laws.
For more information, please refer to the Guide to Managing and Investigating Potential Breaches of the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018.
The Victoria University Human Research Ethics Committee (VUHREC) is operated in accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research.
The role of the Committee is to protect the rights and welfare of research participants and to foster research that is of benefit to the community.
Membership consists of the following experts and community members:
The Chair fulfils the following duties:
The Committee includes at least two lay people, one man and one woman, who have no affiliation with VU and do not currently engage in medical, scientific, legal or academic work.
This role includes the following tasks:
This role is fulfilled by a member with knowledge of and current experience in the areas of research that are regularly considered by the Human Research Ethics Committee.
These individuals should have substantial experience working with humans in research, have an excellent understanding of ethical issues related to the use of humans in research, and a broad appreciation of a range of research methodologies.
They provide expert advice and feedback in relation to legal and ethical principles applicable to research involving humans.
The individual should have a basic understanding of ethical principles as applied to research. In addition, they should have knowledge of, and current experience in the professional care counselling and/or treatment of people, as, for example:
The individual should have a basic understanding of ethical principles as applied to research. In addition, they should have knowledge of, and current experience performing a pastoral care role in a community (for example an Aboriginal elder, a minister of religion).
Where possible, the lawyer is a Committee member who is not engaged to advise the institution.
They provide expert advice and feedback in relation to research.
This Committee member provides expert advice and feedback in relation to research including that involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Applying ethical focus and six core values, — spirit and integrity, cultural continuity, equity, reciprocity, respect, and responsibility will ensure that research conducted with or for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities, or their data or biological samples, is ethically conducted.
Where appropriate, they consult with and apply:
If you're interested in joining the Victoria University Human Research Ethics Committee (VUHREC), please submit an expression of interest.
Selection of membership will be undertaken by a Selection Committee and due consideration will be given to the current composition of the Committee.
Committee dates are always on a Thursday. The agenda closure dates are 5pm on the Wednesday three weeks before the meeting to allow for a pre-review process.
2024 Dates
Due to the tight timeline, documents received after 5pm on the agenda closure date will be held over until the following meeting.
The Low Risk Human Research Ethics Panel may review applications deemed 'Low Risk' (as defined in the National Statement) at any time. Each application is reviewed by two College reviewers and the Chair. Please allow three to five weeks' turnaround for these applications.
Further information on human research ethics.
|
Membership Category |
Member(s) |
|
Chairperson |
Associate Professor Deborah Zion (Chair) |
|
Lay people |
Genevieve Leach Dr Mark Roberts Colin Yates Sheree Proposch |
|
Professional care/counselling |
Vacant |
|
Pastoral/spiritual care |
Ken Johnston |
|
Lawyer |
Mayada Dib Deborah Macfarlane |
|
Persons with Expertise in Research Commonly Considered by the Committee |
Assoc Prof Gina Kruger (Deputy Chair) Assoc Prof Kevin Ball Dr Chitra DeSilva Alessandro Garofolini Dr Maja Husaric Prof Itamar Levinger Dr Fiona McDonald ASPR Aaron Petersen Prof Debra Smith Dr Oksana Razoumova |
VUHREC Chair, Associate Professor Deborah Zion
+61 3 9919 4058 | deborah.zion@vu.edu.au
Deputy Chair, Associate Professor Gina Kruger
+61 3 9919 4781 | gina.kruger@vu.edu.au
Manager, Research Ethics and Integrity, Elizabeth Hill
+61 3 9919 4781 | researchethics@vu.edu.au
Senior Officer, Research Ethics and Integrity, Megan Garratt
+61 3 9919 4461 | researchethics@vu.edu.au
