MERIT Melbourne Engineering Research Institute

Engineering Human Ethics Advisory Group (EHEAG)

The primary functions of a Human Ethics Advisory Group (HEAG) are to provide preliminary assessment, on behalf of the University's Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) and its Human Ethics Sub-Committees (HESC), of human research projects submitted by staff and students in an academic unit, e.g. the School of Engineering; and to advise the HREC and its Sub-Committees on issues pertaining to human research ethics in that unit.

Within the Melbourne School of Engineering, this advisory group is to be known as the Engineering Human Ethics Advisory Group (EHEAG), and it replaces previous Departmental human ethics advisory groups.

In essence, the Engineering HEAG is responsible for approving 'minimal risk' research projects, but must also make a recommendation to the central human ethics committee regarding 'high risk' projects. As a result, all applications for human research ethics approval are now made to the Engineering HEAG.

If any researchers (staff or students) are:

• gathering information about human beings (and organisations) through interviewing, surveying, questionnaires, observation of human behaviour, audio/video taping, administering tests or stimuli, collecting or using human tissue/bone/blood or other body fluids;
• conducting clinical trials;
• using archived data in which individuals are identifiable;
• studying or researching illegal activities

then they must have ethics clearance before data collection commences.

Details about how to lodge an ethics application can be found at here

If you have any questions please contact Gary Hunter, EHEAG Chair or Gwenda Pittaway, EHEAG Administrator.

Membership

Comprises one representative each from the six Departments within the School of Engineering, at least one graduate research student, an Engineering HEAG administrative officer. The chairperson of the Engineering HEAG is chosen from the six Departmental representatives and appointed by the Dean of Engineering.

It is possible that this representation may change in the future as the four key research groups of the Melbourne Engineering Research Institute (MERIT) become established.

Current membership for 2008

• A/Prof Gary Hunter, Chair (Geomatics)
• Dr Ray Dagastine (Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering)
• Dr Bruce Gardiner (Civil & Environmental Engineering)
• Dr David Grayden (Electrical & Electronic Engineering)
• Dr Linda Stern (Computer Science & Software Engineering)
• A/Prof Kenong Xia (Mechanical Engineering)
• Vacant (Student representative)
• Gwenda Pittaway (Administration)

Terms of Reference

• To examine and assess proposals which involve the use of humans as participants in the research of staff and students of the School of Engineering, and to advise the HREC and its Sub-Committees on whether the proposals comply with the ethical guidelines adopted by the University and the Human Research Ethics Committee;
• To ensure that proper arrangements are made in accordance with University and HREC policy for security and disposal of confidential data collected in the course of research;
• To keep appropriate records for audit and compliance purposes.
• To provide information for School of Engineering researchers, supervisors, post-graduate students and HEAG members, on the policy and procedures of the University’s ethics committees.

For more detailed information on HEAG membership, functions and responsibilities, and method of operation, please refer to the Melbourne Research Office website here.