Peer Review Information
On 1 February 2007 the University of Newcastle introduced new processes for human research requiring ethics approval.The new process involves ranking applications into the following risk levels:
- Level 1 - Negligible or no appreciable risks or ethical issues
- Level 2 - Low risk and ethical issues addressed by research design
- Level 3 - Potential for significant or unavoidable risk
Process for L1 and L2 applications
Applications in Levels 1 & 2 (almost all Business & Law applications) are dealt with via an expedited review process. Further details of new HRE approval process, including application forms and guidelines can be found at the University's Human Research Ethics web site.
The new HRE application process involves two stages. At the first stage, applications are reviewed by a member of the Faculty Peer Review Panel and then endorsed by Head of School and Chair of the Panel. At the second stage, applicants are required to submit peer reviewed and HOS endorsed applications to the Human Research Ethics Committee for final approval.
The Faculty Peer Review Panel aims to provide initial feedback on HRE applications to the applicant in the following timeframes:
- DBA/Honours Students: 5 working days
- Masters/PhD Students and /Staff: 10 working days
Chief Investigators need to forward the completed HRE application to:
FBL-PeerReview@newcastle.edu.au and the Chair of the Faculty Peer Review panel, Dr Kevin Lyons, will distribute it to the appropriate Peer Reviewer.
Please refer to the Student and Staff Flowcharts listed below for more details of the process.
Process for L3 applications
Applicants requiring to complete an L3 NEAF application for a high risk application, should submit all of the documentation to Dr Kevin Lyons(Chair, Faculty Peer Panel) who will organsie the Peer Review process for all high risk applications.
Further details of new HRE approval process, including NEAF application forms and guidelines can be found at the University's Human Research Ethics web site.
Faculty Research Ethics Advisors
Applicants are encouraged to contact the Faculty research Ethics Advisors (REAs) for advice preparing HRE applications:
