Collaborative Research and Ethics Approval

1.0 Chief investigators

Where a member of the staff of the University of Newcastle is the chief investigator on a research project involving human participants and which involves collaboration with researchers from other institutions, an application must be made to the Human Research Ethics Committee for ethical clearance prior to the research commencing. Special provisions apply when the research involves Hunter New England Health. Further information.

2.0 Associate or co-investigators

2.1 Where a member of the staff of the University of Newcastle is an associate researcher or co-investigator on a research project involving human participants which is initiated at another institution, an application to the Human Research Ethics Committee for ethical clearance is required if any of the following apply;

A co-investigator is a student of the University of Newcastle and the research is to be used towards meeting the requirements for a course of study; or
The research is to be conducted at the University of Newcastle; or
A research grant or contract for the project is to be administered by the University of Newcastle; or
It is intended to use the letterhead of the University of Newcastle in any documentation provided to study participants; or
The research has not been approved by a human research ethics committee recognised by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) in Australia, or its equivalent body in other countries.

2.2 In all other cases of collaborative research involving human participants (ie, where 1.0 and 2.1 do not apply), co-investigators who are employees of the University of Newcastle are required to:

2.2.1 Hold written evidence that the project has been approved by a human research ethics committee recognised by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) in Australia, or its equivalent body in other countries.

2.2.2 Prior to the research commencing, forward a copy of the written evidence of ethical approval to the Human Research Ethics Officer, Research Office, The Chancellery. Failure to comply with this requirement may compromise your cover under the provisions of The University of Newcastle's professional indemnity insurance.

HREC16:98