Human Research Ethics Committee
The University of Newcastle’s Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) is responsible for ensuring we have effective processes in place to review the ethical acceptability of human research proposals and ensure approved projects are compliant with relevant regulatory and legislative requirements.
The committee and the University are guided by the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. Under this statement, the committee is required to have:
- a chairperson with suitable experience
- at least two people who bring a broad community or consumer perspective and who have no paid affiliation with the institution
- at least one person with knowledge of and current experience in the professional care or treatment of people (e.g., a nurse, counsellor or allied health professional)
- at least one person who performs a pastoral care role in a community (e.g., an Aboriginal elder, chaplain or minister of religion)
- at least one lawyer.
Our HREC also includes academic staff who have research experience relevant to the areas in which the University conducts human-based research projects.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.