The Australian Institute of Criminology Human Research Ethics Committee (AIC HREC) is registered with the National Health and Medical Research Council and considers the ethical acceptability of research proposals exclusively for the AIC.
Applications considered by the AIC HREC ensure that:
- all research involving human participants that is conducted by AIC researchers complies with the principles and guidelines set out in the National Statement for Ethical Conduct in Human Research (the National Statement)
- the welfare and the rights of participants in research are protected
- there is a uniform and coordinated approach to research activities within the AIC.
In accordance with the National Statement, the AIC HREC comprises the following members:
- a Chair
- two lay members, one man and one woman, who have no affiliation with the AIC and who do not currently engage in medical, scientific, legal or academic work
- one person with knowledge of, and current experience in, the professional care, counselling or treatment of people
- one person who performs a pastoral care role in the community, for example, an Aboriginal elder, or a minister of religion
- a lawyer not engaged to advise the AIC
- two people with current research experience that is relevant to the research proposals submitted for review.
Complaints
Participant in a research project
If you are a participant in a research project that has ethics approval from the AIC HREC and you would like to make a complaint about the conduct of the research, you should call the Secretary of the AIC HREC on +61 2 6260 9200 or email ethics@aic.gov.au Alternatively, you may discuss your complaint with the AIC’s Deputy Director. The Secretary and Deputy Director will follow up your concerns with the Chair of the AIC HREC and the Chief Investigator of the project.
Other interested people
Members of the public or other interested parties who have concerns or complaints about the conduct of an AIC research project may also contact the Secretary or Deputy Director. When a concern or complaint is received by the Secretary, they will inform the Chair of the AIC HREC and the Deputy Director of the nature of the concern/complaint and any action that they have taken. The complaint and the action taken will be discussed with the Chief Investigator and reported to the AIC HREC. The AIC HREC will advise the Deputy Director and the Director of the AIC on any further actions that should be undertaken.
All concerns and complaints are formally recorded, treated very seriously and handled promptly. If a concern or complaint is unresolved by the AIC HREC and Deputy Director, it is referred for action to the AIC’s Director.