Expressions of interest are sought from members of the community who perform a pastoral care role for membership of the Swinburne University Human Research Ethics Committee.
Swinburne is a global university of technology and design, focused on creating solutions that transform the future for the benefit of people and their environments.
The Swinburne University Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) is responsible for the ethical review and approval of Swinburne staff and student research involving human participants. The committee reviews a wide range of research projects to ensure that they are conducted in accordance with the highest ethical standards. The HREC is required to maintain a mixture of members with a variety of expertise and knowledge and is currently seeking expressions of interest from people interested in joining the committee in the capacity of a pastoral care role.
A pastoral care member is a person who performs a pastoral care role in a community including, but not limited to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander elder or community leader, a chaplain or a minister of religion or other religious leader; (National statement on ethical conduct in human research, 2023, section 5.1.30[d]).
Pastoral care members provide a valuable perspective on applications being considered by the committee. Membership involves reading and assessing applications, making recommendations regarding approval, attending meetings and participating in discussions. Members of this committee make a significant contribution to the research life of the university.
SUHREC– General Duties of Membership
Each member of an ethical review body is responsible for deciding whether, in his or her own judgement, a proposal submitted …meets the requirements of (the) National Statement and is ethically acceptable. (5.2.21 of National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2023))
To maintain familiarity with and/or seek advice as to:
- Committee Terms of Reference
- Relevant Swinburne policies and procedures
- National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2023)
- Regulations or guidelines issued under various legislation
To participate in the deliberation of SUHREC and its subcommittees (SHESCs). In this regard (and based on standards previously set for Swinburne Council members), members are expected to:
- act honestly in good faith and with integrity
- exercise due care, skill and diligence in undertaking their duties
- not misuse the position or information provided and act at all times in the interests of the University as a whole and SUHREC and its subcommittees
- attend meetings on a regular basis (or as appropriate in special cases)
- seek information and understanding about the role and function of SUHREC and its subcommittees
- make an informed assessment of proposals submitted to SUHREC or SHESC as part of due deliberation
- contribute to the advancement of ethically sound research proceeding under Swinburne auspices
- disclose, in accordance with Swinburne procedure, related interests where those interests could potentially lead to a conflict of interest and, where a potential conflict may arise, abstain from deliberation on the matter concerned
- maintain confidentiality
SUHREC – Specific Duties of Membership
1. To maintain familiarity with and/or seek advice as to:
- SUHREC Terms of Reference, Composition & Terms of Reference
- National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2023)
2. To attend to SUHREC business, including regular attendance and participation at meetings and other activities (e.g out of session reviews).
3. To give proper attention to issues of confidentiality, conflict of interest and facilitation of ethically sound human research activity.
4. To undertake an informed review of allocated proposals submitted to SUHREC as part of due deliberation, including reference/s to relevant sections of the National Statement
5. To review ‘back to delegate’ revisions or resubmissions as agreed during SUHREC meetings; and modification requests for allocated applications as required by the Ethics Office
6. To develop knowledge and experience with respect to academic research and the ethics of human research activity to a level commensurate with that expected of ‘researcher members’ of SUHREC.
7. To participate in ongoing continuing education for ethics committee members as required by the National Statement.
The Swinburne HREC meets approximately every 4 weeks via MS Teams on Friday mornings. There may also be opportunity to attend in-person training sessions on occasion.
To submit an expression of interest please forward a brief resume and cover letter outlining your interest in the role and any relevant skills or attributes to anordmann@swin.edu.au
Expressions of interest close: Monday 3rd June 2024, at 11pm.
If you have any queries about the position or would like further information please contact Dr Astrid Nordmann, Senior Research Ethics Co-ordinator, Ph: (03) 9214 3845 or Email: anordmann@swin.edu.au.
