Human Research Ethics Committee

Establishment

The University of Adelaide Committee on the Ethics of Human Experimentation was established in accordance with a decision made by The University Council on 13 November 1981. The Committee's title was changed to Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) on 26 June 1997. In 2015, the HREC was established as a sub-committee of the University Research Committee.

The HREC's primary role is to protect the welfare and the rights of participants in research. It must ensure the effective consent of individuals and groups to participation in a research project and that any risk which may be involved is acceptable.

Membership

The composition must comply with the requirements of the National Statement (NS) on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2007 (updated 2018), and may include additional members. 

An HREC member personally involved in a research project being reviewed by the HREC shall not take part in the decision-making process.

Conduct

The HREC may invite or co-opt any person to attend or participate in any of its meetings. Such persons shall not be eligible to vote.

Functions

The HREC's primary functions are as set out below:

• apply the ethical principles and values set out in the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2007 (updated 2018), the Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities: Guidelines for researchers and stakeholders 2018, Keeping research on track II, the AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research as well as other guideline papers published from time to time by the NHMRC, ARC or other funding bodies or statutory authorities;
• consider the ethical implications of all proposed research projects on humans and to determine whether or not they are acceptable on ethical grounds;
• provide for surveillance of research projects until completion so that the HREC may be satisfied that they continue to conform with approved ethical standards;
• maintain a record of all proposed research projects; and
• review projects granted approval by other NHMRC registered HRECs and accept these approvals where appropriate.