Menu Search
Close Search

Human Research Ethics Committee

Ethics & Integrity

Animal Ethics Committee

Research Integrity

The QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute-Human Research Ethics Committee (QIMR Berghofer-HREC) is a committee established by the Council of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, to ensure maintenance of ethical standards in research and compliance with regulatory guidelines. The QIMR Berghofer-HREC is committed to the ethical conduct of research involving humans.

All human research carried out at QIMR Berghofer requires an adherence to the appropriate state, national and international legislation, regulations and guidelines. QIMR Berghofer-HREC has been formed to assist investigators with meeting these requirements.

Contact the QIMR Berghofer-HREC

Questions relating to Human Research activity at QIMR Berghofer should be directed to the HREC Secretary in the first instance:

T +61 7 3362 0117
F +61 7 3362 0109
E hrec.secretariat@qimrberghofer.edu.au

WHAT IS HUMAN RESEARCH?

National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2023 (PDF) defines human research as that “conducted with or about people, or their data or tissue. Human participation in research is therefore to be understood broadly, to include the involvement of human beings through:

  • taking part in surveys, interviews or focus groups
  • undergoing psychological, physiological or medical testing or treatment
  • being observed by researchers, researchers having access to their personal documents or other materials
  • the collection and use of their body organs, tissues or fluids (eg skin, blood, urine, saliva, hair, bones, tumour and other biopsy specimens) or their exhaled breath
  • access to their information (in individually identifiable, re-identifiable or non-identifiable form) as part of an existing published or unpublished source or database.”

HREC MEMBERSHIP

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

QIMR Berghofer’s Human Research Ethics Committee meets approximately ten times per year and has ultimate responsibility for the approval of all Human research undertaken at QIMR Berghofer. The HREC is guided in its deliberations by either of its two scientific sub-committees; the Clinical Trials Protocol Committee reviews and provides advice to the HREC about clinical trials and non-clinical trials are reviewed by the Human Scientific Sub-Committee.

HREC meeting dates for 2024

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

The QIMR Berghofer Human Research Ethics Committee (QIMR Berghofer-HREC) operates in reference to the following:

CERTIFICATION

QIMR Berghofer is currently certified by the NHMRC under the National Approach to Single Ethical Review for the categories below. The aim of this certification is to promote consistent review, and reduce duplication of ethics review, across jurisdictions.

  • Clinical trials Phase I, II, III and IV
  • Clinical interventional research other than clinical trials
  • Population health and/or public health
  • Qualitative research
  • Mental health
  • Other health and medical research: Laboratory research using human tissue samples

MAKING INQUIRIES, CONCERNS OR COMPLAINTS

Research participants, members of the public or researchers may inquire, express concerns or make a formal complaint(s) about research project(s), conduct of research or HREC review process/decision. Matters are addressed promptly and sensitively as guided by Chapter 5.6, the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research, 2023 incorporating all updates.

The QIMR Berghofer HREC may receive complaint(s) related to:

  • A process or processes
  • A decision or decisions
  • Nature or content of an approved research study
  • Researcher’s conduct
  • How the study is being conducted
  • Other research related concerns

Complaint(s) may be initiated by:

  • Research participants, their relatives or other concerned parties
  • Researchers, including researchers involved in the approved or other studies
  • Institutions, organisations or other individuals with a direct or indirect interest in research approved by the QIMR Berghofer HREC

The secretary to the HREC receives complaints and where possible, he/she seeks to address complaint(s) swiftly and will undertake further investigation as required.

Contact details for complaints:

HREC secretariat
T +61 7 33620117
E hrec.secretariat@qimrberghofer.edu.au
M Locked Bag 2000, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Qld 4029

IMPORTANT HREC DOCUMENT DOWNLOADS