Skip to content

ACN - 101321555 | ABN - 39101321555

Australasian Human Research Ethics Consultancy Services Pty Ltd (AHRECS)

AHRECS icon
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Consultants
    • Services
  • Previous Projects
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Feeds
  • Contact Us
  • More
    • Request a Quote
    • Susbcribe to REM
    • Subscribe to VIP
Menu
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Consultants
    • Services
  • Previous Projects
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Feeds
  • Contact Us
  • More
    • Request a Quote
    • Susbcribe to REM
    • Subscribe to VIP
Exclude terms...
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
AHRECS
Analysis
Animal ethics
Animal Ethics Committee
Animal handling
Animal housing
Animal Research Ethics
Animal Welfare
ANZCCART
Artificial Intelligence
Arts
Australia
Authorship
Belief
Beneficence
Big data
Big data
Biobank
Bioethics
Biomedical
Biospecimens
Breaches
Cartoon/Funny
Case studies
Clinical trial
Collaborative research
Conflicts of interest
Consent
Controversy/Scandal
Controversy/Scandal
Creative
Culture
Data management
Database
Dual-use
Essential Reading
Ethical review
Ethnography
Euthanasia
Evaluative practice/quality assurance
Even though i
First People
Fraud
Gender
Genetics
Get off Gary Play man of the dog
Good practice
Guidance
Honesty
HREC
Human research ethics
Humanities
Institutional responsibilities
International
Journal
Justice
Links
Media
Medical research
Merit and integrity
Methodology
Monitoring
New Zealand
News
Online research
Peer review
Performance
Primary materials
Principles
Privacy
Protection for participants
Psychology
Publication ethics
Questionable Publishers
Research ethics committees
Research integrity
Research Misconduct
Research results
Researcher responsibilities
Resources
Respect for persons
Sample paperwork
sd
se
Serious Adverse Event
Social Science
SoTL
Standards
Supervision
Training
Vulnerability
x
Young people
Exclude news

Sort by

Animal Ethics Biosafety Human Research Ethics Research Integrity
Institutional Subscribers Website
For $350/year your institution can get access to some great resources you can share on your intranet. At the same time you will be supporting the Research Ethics Monthly, the Resource Library and our social media activity
View Details
Individual Subscriber
From USD1/month (USD15/month gives you access to everything) you can get access to some great resources. At the same time you will be supporting the Research Ethics Monthly, the Resource Library and our social media activity
View Details
Human Research Ethics
Our human research ethics services extend far beyond the delivery of tailored professional development workshops, including strategies to improve institutional arrangements and national guidelines.
View Details
Research Integrity
An effective research integrity framework is one based upon a number of complementary strategies that include coherent policy, sophisticated resource materials and attention to curriculum and pedagogy, and fair and responsible approaches to investigation. AHRECS can assist your institution adopt a world-class approach.
View Details
Research Ethics Monthly
This monthly electronic publication from AHRECS includes posts about human research ethics/research integrity with practical tips and ideas that matter from around the world.
View Details
Resource Library
With over 1900 entries the Resource Library contains news, papers, books, codes/statements/policies and other resources relating to human research ethics and research integrity.
View Details
Previous
Next
A word cloud and graphic around the word "COLLABORATION"

About Us

AHRECS: Voice for constructive change. We provide access to some of the leading experts in human research ethics in Australia and New Zealand.

We provide expert and high quality consultancy services relating to research integrity, human research ethics, educational integrity and publication ethics for Australia, New Zealand and the wider Asia-Pacific region.

Over the years AHRECS has provided advice on human research ethics and research integrity matters to government departments, institutions, researchers, research ethics reviewers and ethics managers.

Learn More

Resources

A circle of person pins with speech bubbles around the heading "PEER REVIEW"

Overburdening of peer reviewers. A multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder perspective on causes, effects and potential policy implications (Preprint: Anna Severin & Joanna Chataway | January 2021)

(Egypt) A Mummers Farce – Retractions of Medical Papers conducted in Egyptian Institutions (Preprint: Rahma Menshawey et. al. | February 2023)

Conceptual caption Research Ethics. Business approach interested in the analysis ofethicalissues that raised Abstract Gathering Investigation Clues Online, Presenting Internet Ideas

Respecting relational agency in the context of vulnerability: What can research ethics learn from the social sciences? (Papers: Jennifer Roest et. al. | January 2023)

A cartoon of a silhouette of an investigator with a magnifying class following footsteps.

(Netherlands) The argument for adopting a jurisprudence platform for scientific misconduct (Papers: B. Siegerink et. al. | January 2023)

A graphic showing the grey outlines of the countries that make up Scandinavia.

(Scandinavia) Misuse of co-authorship in Medical PhD Theses in Scandinavia: A Questionnaire Survey (Papers: Gert Helgesson et. al. | December 2022)

These are all the possible causes. Shot of a young female doctor talking to a patient in an office.

Children and bioethics: clarifying consent and assent in medical and research settings (Papers: Merle Spriggs | February 2023)

A circle of person pins with speech bubbles around the heading "PEER REVIEW"

Overburdening of peer reviewers. A multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder perspective on causes, effects and potential policy implications (Preprint: Anna Severin & Joanna Chataway | January 2021)

(Egypt) A Mummers Farce – Retractions of Medical Papers conducted in Egyptian Institutions (Preprint: Rahma Menshawey et. al. | February 2023)

Conceptual caption Research Ethics. Business approach interested in the analysis ofethicalissues that raised Abstract Gathering Investigation Clues Online, Presenting Internet Ideas

Respecting relational agency in the context of vulnerability: What can research ethics learn from the social sciences? (Papers: Jennifer Roest et. al. | January 2023)

A cartoon of a silhouette of an investigator with a magnifying class following footsteps.

(Netherlands) The argument for adopting a jurisprudence platform for scientific misconduct (Papers: B. Siegerink et. al. | January 2023)

A graphic showing the grey outlines of the countries that make up Scandinavia.

(Scandinavia) Misuse of co-authorship in Medical PhD Theses in Scandinavia: A Questionnaire Survey (Papers: Gert Helgesson et. al. | December 2022)

These are all the possible causes. Shot of a young female doctor talking to a patient in an office.

Children and bioethics: clarifying consent and assent in medical and research settings (Papers: Merle Spriggs | February 2023)

Our Blog

The words, "RESEARCH ETHICS" with an empty pointed list on a notepad surrounded by circular tokens individual letters on each one.

Friend or foe? Building better relationships between HRECs and researchers

In this terrific post, Jess Carniel of the University of Southern Queensland, reflects on research ethics committees engaging with researchers in discipline areas not included in core membership of a committee.

Jess Carniel is Senior Lecturer in Humanities in the School of Humanities and Communication, UniSQ.

She is also Deputy Chair of the USQ Human Research Ethics Committee and an Executive Member of the Centre for Heritage and Culture.

AHRECS agrees with and supports the approaches and ideas she discusses in this post.

We agree that the role research ethics committees should be approached positively to resource practice, rather than from within a bureaucratic frame to police research compliance with rules intended to constrain research practice.

Learn More
On-line blog concept - keyboard with blog key

Can reading Australian novels help us become more ethical researchers?

If someone asked you for some recommended reading or viewing to help them understand human research ethics, animal ethics or research integrity, what would you recommend?

The policies and standards issued by National governments, learned societies, funding bodies and academic publications are generally not especially engaging or entertaining.

In this blog post, Sally Dalton-Brown discusses a couple of options from the streaming and fiction publishing offerings.

They won’t exactly discuss, explain or define the principles of ethical or responsible conduct. Neither will they explain how to adhere to national requirements or instutiona policy. That isn’t surprising, but that is probably not the point. Entertainment, enjoyment and a bit of fun is a great way to engage people with the important elements of ethical and responsible behaviour in the design and conduct of research.

This material could be usefully included in the resource library for members of an institution’s research ethics committee.

Learn More
Resting on a wooden table is a tablet computer displaying an item about ethics. Beside it are spectacles, a potted plant and a coffee mug.

The need for ethical guidance for research other than human research or animal-based scientific work

In this post, AHRECS Senior Consultant, Gary Allen, reflects on the fact that some research that does not require research ethics review from a Human Research Ethics Committee or an Animal Ethics Committee involve serious ethical questions that could benefit from guidance and ethical standards.

He uses four topical cases to illustrate why this is an important matter.

(1.) Kennewick Man and the ancient DNA (aDNA) furore – A case where there was an argument about the providence of an ancient body and whether it was subject to First Nation considerations.

(2.) Karl Andersson’s Masturbation Over Child Porn autoethnography project – A case that raised concern and commentary about the ethical oversight of research where there is potential for public harm.

(3.) Myanmar Amber Studies – A question about researchers purchasing amber samples from the country of Myanmar, when there are concerns that the revenue could be used to fund human rights abuses.

(4.) Artifical Intelligence Ethics Review – The use of Artificial Intelligence can have the potential for discrimination of marginalised communities and individuals. Given this potential for harm, it has been asked if there is a need for some form of ethics review of this work.

Learn More
Good Practice text written on a notebook with pencils

Setting the right tone

In this very practical talk, AHRECS senior consultant, Gary discusses the positive and constructive ways in which a research ethics committee Chair can set the tone of the meeting.

Committees can, and should, have a role beyond the normal operational tasks (e.g. confirmation of the minutes), research ethics review (including the framing of review feedback) and involvement in the institutions approach to professional development for its research community.

The Chair has an essential role in regards to how the committee utilises national and institutional guidance material that frames the conduct reviews and the ethical design/conduct of research projects.

They can usefully also guide the committee towards constructive handling of matters such as conflicts of interest and typographical errors in the material submitted to the committee.

AHRECS has considerable experience in working with research institutions in this area, including mentoring for Chairs and Secretaries, coaching for committees and professional development.

Learn More
The words, "ETHICS COMMITTEE" seen through a curled tear out of a sheet of red paper.

Is having alternate/reserve members a helpful practice?

In this incredibly helpful and practical post, Erich von Dietze (a senior consultant at AHRECS) reflects on the considerations, benefits and potential challenges when trying to structure your ethics committee (whether human research or Animal Ethics).

Like many matters in research governance (especially Human Research Ethics and Animal Ethics), there is no simple answer that is always right. Saving time and impediments in one area, can create more and introduce delays in another.

Erich discusses the options and explores the issues that require consideration.

Getting this right can mitigate against unexpected member absences, committee continuity and maintain the expertise and readiness of members.

Acting rashly can cause problems, take time and use up resources.

This item is a recommended read for research office staff, a secretaries, committee chairs and members.

Learn More
A line of empty leather seats at a polished meeting table.

An argument for registers for research ethics committee members

In this great and very helpful post, Gary and Kim (from AHRECS) looks at the benefits of institutions establishing and keeping updated a register of their members.

Such a register could track, when a member was appointed to the committee, when their appointment is up for renewal and the maximum finish date for their appointment. It should also track the dates on which the member has participated in professional development.

Such a register can be a component of good governance with regards to the membership of a research ethics committee.

Maintaining a register of when members have participated in professional development activities can be a great way of reinforcing the expectation that members will regularly participate in professional development. There is of course a reciprocal obligation that institutions regularly conduct internal and fund participation and external professional development activities.

It is good practice for institutions to maintain a public register of the declaration of interest from members. At the very least, such a register should be easily accessible by members of the committee, but it is also recommended that the register be publicly available. Members should be encouraged to at least lodge their interests when they are first appointed and when their membership is renewed.

Learn More

News Feed

Molecule of DNA forming inside the test tube equipment.3d rendering,conceptual image.

(China) In wake of gene-edited baby scandal, China sets new ethics rules for human studies – Science (Dennis Normile | March 2023)

A funny cartoon two researchers competing by pulling a participant in opposite directions.

Friday afternoon’s funny – Making things are competition predictable consequences

A woman working on a laptop, referring to a piece of paper

Building Trust in Science Communication: The Role of Journals & Journalists, Pre-& Post-Publication – PLOS Media (Ivan Oransky, Fiona Fox & Renee Hoch | September 2022)

A computer graphic of runners poised on a starting line.

Discussion: Why retractions are on the rise by Ivan Oransky, MD – Consilium Scientific (Ivan Oransky | February 2023)

A digital representation of an artificial eye and artificial intelligence.

Turnitin announces AI detector with ‘97 per cent accuracy’ – Times Higher Education (Tom Williams | February 2023)

A post with with arrows pointing in different directions with text relating to acknowledgement and recognition.

Hyperauthorship: the publishing challenges for ‘big team’ science – Nature (Bianca Nogrady | February 2023)

Molecule of DNA forming inside the test tube equipment.3d rendering,conceptual image.

(China) In wake of gene-edited baby scandal, China sets new ethics rules for human studies – Science (Dennis Normile | March 2023)

A funny cartoon two researchers competing by pulling a participant in opposite directions.

Friday afternoon’s funny – Making things are competition predictable consequences

A woman working on a laptop, referring to a piece of paper

Building Trust in Science Communication: The Role of Journals & Journalists, Pre-& Post-Publication – PLOS Media (Ivan Oransky, Fiona Fox & Renee Hoch | September 2022)

A computer graphic of runners poised on a starting line.

Discussion: Why retractions are on the rise by Ivan Oransky, MD – Consilium Scientific (Ivan Oransky | February 2023)

A digital representation of an artificial eye and artificial intelligence.

Turnitin announces AI detector with ‘97 per cent accuracy’ – Times Higher Education (Tom Williams | February 2023)

A post with with arrows pointing in different directions with text relating to acknowledgement and recognition.

Hyperauthorship: the publishing challenges for ‘big team’ science – Nature (Bianca Nogrady | February 2023)

Animal
Ethics

Global
Ethics

Human
Ethics

Research
Integrity

Aotearoa
New Zealand

South East Asia from orbit with a network of connecting lines

AHRECS in Asia

AHRECS in Asia

Australasian Human Research Ethics Consultancy Services: Our work in Asia
澳大利亚和新西兰人类研究伦理咨询服务 / 澳大利亞和新西蘭人類研究倫理諮詢服務

Despite our name and our strong connections to Australia and New Zealand, for several years we have been providing advice to institutions in East and South-East Asia. In 2003, Gary Allen helped the Hanoi School of Public Health in Vietnam establish its human research ethics arrangements.

Following a period as an external examiner in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Hong Kong, Mark Israel advised the Faculty of Law there on research integrity.

Learn More
COPE notice
A Retraction Watch supporters graphic

Resourcing Reflective Practice

Individually and together we have written a fair amount (see Gary, Mark and Colin‘s profiles for references) about the inherent flaws
of the enforcement and compliance approach. A more constructive, sustainable and positive approach is one that has a resourcing
reflective practice objective. See this short whiteboard video for more about this approach.

Cherry blossom blooming in University of Canterbury, NZ

Human Research Ethics advice for University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Hand holding a pen to a whiteboard

Whiteboard resourcing reflective practice

Three young students look toward us and give us a thumbs up

SoTL Resource Booklets

Modern building complex

University of Western Australia

Contact Us

Loading...

Geoff Dandie

Gary Allen

KIM GIFKINS

MARK ISRAEL

SARAH BYRNE

MANDY DOWNING

Amanda Fernie

SUSANNA GORMAN

LINDSEY TE ATA…

Gordon McGurk

Erich von Dietze

Where Our Clients Are Located

AHRECS client location map
  • Enter the answer as a word
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Research Ethics Monthly Receive copies of the Research Ethics Monthly directly
by email. We will never spam you.

  • Enter the answer as a word
  • Hidden
    This field is hidden and only used for import to Mailchimp
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • Home
  • Services
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Services
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Company
  • Terms Of Use
  • Copyright
  • Privacy Policy
  • Company
  • Terms Of Use
  • Copyright
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Map
  • Site Map

Australasian Human Research Ethics Consultancy Services Pty Ltd (AHRECS)

Facebook-f Twitter Linkedin-in