D/6.5 University Human Research Ethics Committee charter

Policy Owner	Director, Office of Research Ethics and Integrity
Approval Date	25/05/2022
Approval Authority	Vice-Chancellor and President
Date of Next Review	01/12/2023

6.5.1 Purpose
6.5.2 Accountability
6.5.3 Responsibilities
6.5.4 Membership
6.5.5 Attendance
6.5.6 Meeting frequency
6.5.7 Reporting and communication
6.5.8 Procedures
6.5.9 Secretariat
Related Documents
Modification History

6.5.1 Purpose

The primary responsibility of the University Human Research Ethics Committee (UHREC) is to review and monitor QUT human research to ensure that the research is conducted ethically, with respect, research merit and integrity, justice and beneficence in accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (National Statement). The functions of the Committee support compliance with the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018 (the code) and the QUT code for responsible conduct of research (D/2.6).

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6.5.2 Accountability

The University Human Research Ethics Committee is a management committee accountable to the Vice-Chancellor and President through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research).

The University Human Research Ethics Committee is registered with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and, on behalf of the University, is responsible for reporting to the NHMRC annually for the purpose of meeting its registration requirements.

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6.5.3 Responsibilities

The University Human Research Ethics Committee will undertake the following:

Compliance with legislation and standards

perform the functions of a human research ethics committee in accordance with the current National Statement and Code as issued under the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992.

Policy, procedures and guidelines

contribute to the development of policy, procedures and guidance relating to human research ethics.

Review, approval and monitoring of research projects

review research projects involving human participants and/or their data or tissue
approve only those activities which it considers are ethically acceptable and conform to the requirements of the National Statement
monitor the conduct of approved research projects until their completion so as to ensure continued compliance with relevant requirements
withdraw or suspend a project's ethics approval if a project is not or cannot be conducted in accordance with the conditions of approval, or continuation of the project may compromise participants' welfare
maintain a record of proposed and approved human research projects/activities
receive reports from non-Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) levels of ethics review.

Advice

advise QUT staff and students through the Office of Research Ethics and Integrity and Research Ethics Advisors on human research ethics matters
provide advice and recommendations to the University via the Office of Research Ethics and Integrity on human research ethics matters, including complaints and alleged non-compliance
advise the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research) via the Office of Research Ethics and Integrity on issues arising in human research, including procedural matters.

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6.5.4 Membership

The membership of the University Human Research Ethics Committee is constituted in accordance with the requirements of the National Statement. The committee will comprise a minimum of ten members and include:

a Chairperson, with suitable experience and senior academic standing (or equivalent), nominated by the Provost and/or Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor. The Chair should be knowledgeable in University policy and procedure, standards and community issues
at least two lay people (supporting gender inclusiveness), who have no affiliation with the institution and do not currently engage in medical, scientific, legal or academic work nominated by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability and Research Integrity)
at least two people with knowledge of and current experience in the professional care, counselling or treatment of people nominated by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability and Research Integrity); for example a nurse, allied health professional, clinical psychologist, social worker or medical practitioner
at least one person who performs a pastoral care role in a community, for example, an Aboriginal elder, or a minister of religion, nominated by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability and Research Integrity)
at least one lawyer, where possible one who is not engaged to advise the institution, nominated by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability and Research Integrity)
at least two people with current research experience that is relevant to research proposals to be considered at the meetings they attend. Members may be selected, according to need, from an established pool of inducted members with relevant expertise in the areas of research that are regularly considered by the Committee (e.g. education, creative industries, justice, law, business, health, science and engineering). These members are nominated by the executive deans of the relevant faculties or by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability and Research Integrity)
at least one person who identifies as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, or with sufficient relevant experience, skills and understanding, nominated by the Indigenous Australian Advisory Committee.

No member may be appointed in more than one of the categories listed above.

To enable the University Human Research Ethics Committee to have available the skills and expertise necessary for the research under review and to meet the minimum HREC meeting attendance requirements, QUT may engage additional members in each of the membership categories to form a pool of inductees. Exact membership numbers are determined by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability and Research Integrity) upon consultation with the Office of Research Ethics and Integrity. A register of current membership is maintained by the Office of Research Ethics and Integrity.

Committee members are appointed for their expertise and not as representatives of any faculty, group or organisation. As far as possible the composition of the committee should comprise:

a membership with diversity in accordance with section 6.16 of Council Procedure 1 (Committees), and
at least one third of the members should be external to the University.

One or more members shall be nominated as Deputy Chair/s of the University Human Research Ethics Committee by the Committee. The Deputy Chair’s role includes acting as Chair in the Chair's absence, while applications or other matters involving the Chair are under consideration, or as requested.

Nominated members of the Committee serve a term of office of up to two years. The length of a nominated member’s term of office is recommended to the nominator by the Chair, on advice from the Secretariat.

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6.5.5 Attendance

Members, including those comprising the pool of inducted members, must attend sufficient number of meetings (e.g. a minimum of four meetings per year) to maintain their expertise and comply with continuing education and training responsibilities in paragraphs 5.2.2– 5.2.4 of the National Statement. Members are encouraged to attend a greater number of these to enhance ethical deliberation of the Committee.

The Human Research Ethics Coordinator has rights of audience and debate only.

The University Human Research Ethics Committee may invite people with specific expertise from outside the Committee membership to provide advice as required.

The Committee may invite observers or visitors to attend a meeting with the permission of the Chair in accordance with Council Procedure 1 (Committees).

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6.5.6 Meeting frequency

The University Human Research Ethics Committee normally meets monthly or as required. The frequency of meetings is approved by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research). Additional meetings may be held at the discretion of the Chair if urgent matters require review in advance of the next scheduled meeting.

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6.5.7 Reporting and communication

The University Human Research Ethics Committee reports to:

QUT Council, Risk and Audit Committee, University Research Committee and University Academic Board annually through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research). Reports to Council should address numbers and types of activities considered for approval and the outcomes, any administrative or other difficulties experienced, actions that have supported the educational and training needs of Committee members and researchers, and any matters that may affect the University’s ability to maintain compliance with the National Statement.

The National Health and Medical Research Council.

The University Human Research Ethics Committee may refer matters to the University Animal Ethics Committee, the University Biosafety Committee, University Health, Safety and Environment Committee, faculty/division health, safety and environment committees and the Director, Office of Research Ethics and Integrity as necessary.

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6.5.8 Procedures

The University Human Research Ethics Committee is established in accordance with the National Statement and Council Procedure 1 (Committees).

To comply with the operational requirements of the National Statement, the University Human Research Ethics Committee has approved Standard Operating Procedures (QUT staff and student access only).

The University Human Research Ethics Committee is regulated by Council Procedure No 1 (Committees), with the exception of sections 6.15 (the holding of multiple positions by a single member) and 7.7 (quorum), to ensure consistency with requirements of the National Statement.

At least one member from each category prescribed in paragraph 5.1.30 of the National Statement should attend the Committee meeting to meet a quorum. In circumstances where there is less than full attendance of the minimum membership at a meeting, the committee may consider applications as long as:

absent members critical to meeting the minimum membership have received a copy of the application(s) and

the Chair is satisfied, before a decision is reached, that they have had adequate opportunity to comment.

Consideration of non-QUT research

The University Human Research Ethics Committee normally considers applications only from QUT staff and students. The Committee may consider submissions from external applicants (including individuals with honorary QUT titles – B/2.1) wishing to conduct an activity at a QUT site or involving use of QUT resources, expertise or infrastructure. The Committee does not review projects where there is no QUT involvement. An external applicant applying for QUT ethics review must do so in the capacity of a co-investigator or co-supervisor only, unless otherwise agreed. A QUT staff member must be nominated as the project Chief Investigator and accept ultimate responsibility for the conduct of the project. Consideration will be made in accordance with this charter and at the discretion of the Chair. For projects involving QUT honorary titleholders (B/2.1) that may require review under other QUT ethics review pathways refer to the Committee’s Standard Operating Procedures

Complaints

Complaints relating to human research or the University Human Research Ethics Committee's review process should be directed to the Office of Research Ethics and Integrity.

The Manager, Office Research Ethics and Integrity or delegate is responsible for the initial review of complaints and will refer complaints to the relevant party as appropriate.

Any complaints or concerns about the University Human Research Ethics Committee review or decision processes are directed to the Chair of the Committee. If the complaint relates directly to the conduct of the Chair the matter will be referred to the Director, Office Research Ethics and Integrity.

The Committee's Standard Operating Procedures (QUT staff and student access only) provide further details regarding the complaints process.

Non-compliance

Suspected non-compliance with the National Statement in connection with a research project or activity should be referred to the Office of Research Ethics and Integrity in accordance with the Committee's Standard Operating Procedures (QUT staff and student access only).

Matters referred will be investigated to determine the nature and extent of the alleged non-compliance. Procedures will reflect the principles of fairness and be conducted in a manner to ensure protection of participants’ wellbeing and privacy. The University Human Research Ethics Committee and other relevant parties will be informed of the outcome of any investigations.

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6.5.9 Secretariat

A nominee of the Vice-President (Administration) and University Registrar is secretary, on recommendation of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research). The Office of Research Ethics and Integrity provides administrative support to the University Human Research Ethics Committee and coordination of meetings.

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Modification History

Date	Sections	Source	Details
25.05.22	All	Vice-Chancellor and President	Revised charter following management committee self-assessment outcomes
26.11.21	All	Vice-Chancellor and President	Revised terms of reference in accordance with commitee self-assessment - includes greater details relating to reporting of complaints and non-compliance, changed membership requirements to align with the National Statement and removal of references to Faculty Research Ethics Advisors
22.09.20	All	Director, Governance and Legal Services	Date of Next Review extended to accommodate the committee review and self-assessment process deferred to 2021
03.12.18	All	Vice-Chancellor and President	Revised charter
02.02.18	D/6.5.4	Director, Office of Research Ethics and Integrity	Membership category regarding members with research experience relevant to proposals clarified to include Faculty Research Ethics Advisors
08.01.18	All	Vice Chancellor	New committee charter and revised membership to reflect the membership requirements of the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research
24.11.16	All	Vice Chancellor	Revised terms of reference and membership in accordance with committee self-assessment review and to align with legislation
02.12.14	All	Vice-Chancellor	Periodic review - terms of reference and membership revised
23.07.14	All	Vice-Chancellor	Revised terms of reference and membership
05.02.13	All	Vice-Chancellor	Periodic review - no change required
17.12.10	All	University Human Research Ethics Committee	Periodic review - no change required
13.09.10	All	Vice-Chancellor	Terms of reference revised to include reporting through Audit and Risk Management Committee to Council
27.05.08	All	Vice-Chancellor	Revised terms of reference and membership of University Human Research Ethics Committee (endorsed by University Academic Board 04.04.08 and University Research and Innovation Committee 07.03.08); renumbered to D/6.5 (formerly D/6.1.1)
29.06.04	All	Vice-Chancellor	Revised terms of reference and membership provisions, in accordance with recommendations of Vice-Chancellor's Panel of the 2003/2004 Committees Review
05.08.03	All	Acting Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Advancement)	Revised membership provisions to include Research Ethics Officer
27.06.03	All	Secretariat Manager	Added statement re conflict of interest in accordance with Internal Audit Report on Potential Conflict of Interests - Report No 2002/40 (April 2003)
20.02.02	All	Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Advancement)	Revised membership provisions in accordance with World Health Organisation Operational Guidelines for Ethics Committees that Review Biomedical Research
07.06.00	All	Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Advancement)	Revised membership provisions
25.10.99	All	Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Advancement)	Committee reconstituted in accordance with new National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research involving Humans (effective 01.01.2000)
14.04.99	All	Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Advancement)	Revised membership (endorsed by University Human Research Ethics Committee 6.4.99)
16.06.98	All	Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Advancement)	Added category of lawyer to membership details
02.06.98	All	Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Advancement)	Established new committee

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