In this post, Dr Gary Allen (one of the senior consultants at AHRECS) discusses why resourcing reflective practice is a more reliable and effective/constructive way to manage institutional risk than fixating on compliance and using an enforcement and sanctions approach.

Approaching the serious risks from within the frame of resourcing practice treats the role of research ethics as being to facilitate research, rather than being an impediment to research.

This embeds research ethics as being a component of the design and conduct of quality research, not as something external to research.

Systems that promote ethical design and conduct, are also investments in quality research

Gary has worked in the human research ethics field since 1997. He has worked with committees in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and Vietnam. He Chaired the Committee that drafted the new Chapter 3.1 of the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research.

In this post Gary discusses the components of a good internal report from a research ethics committee to the governing body of the host institution.

Such reports should be produced annually.

A constructive report should provide a snapshot of the committee during the reported period.

The report should cover specific matters that are optional and strategic in nature.

In this post, Gary Allen and Nik Zeps explore the human research ethics arguments and imperatives that only allow for the sharing of data, but establish a public good that can make sharing expected and essential.

This expectation should shape the approach to consent, the framing of assurances given to potential participants about confidentiality and e reflected in the application for research ethics review.

Research ethics committees and review bodies should be cognisant of these ethical arguments during the research ethics review of projects

Institutions must have clear policies and guidance material on data sharing.

In this great post, Mark Israel, Julia Miller, Liwen Tan and Kristy Davis discuss the extra challenges that confront international students when it comes to human research ethics and navigating research ethics review and the daunting challenge of satisfying an unsympathetic research ethics committee.

This scary rite of passage is made even harder if your native language doesn’t have direct translations for ethics terminology or if there are cultural concepts without direct correlation.

This is a matter that should be carefully considered by research ethics committees, research offices, international offices and graduate schools.

In this post find out why Gary is cranky about the proposed good practice guide for Australian Research Integrity Advisers.

#SPOILERALERT It is because he believes institutions need a network of collegiate Research Integrity Advisers to nurture and support a community of practice within their institution.

He also thinks mandatory reporting and telling people to speak in hypotheticals are STUPID.

While Gary describes this as a personal opinion, we agree. We don’t see how mandatory reporting will make serving as an RIA would be appealing or encourage anyone to consult them about whether an individual’s practice is appropriate.

AHRECS provides desktop audit and blueprint on Research Integrity within an institution and conducts professional development for RIAs.

Contact enquiry@ahrecs.com to discuss.

We are delighted with how busy AHRECS is at the moment in the human research ethics and research integrity spheres in Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Our current work can be broken down into four categories:

1. Informing the practice of a research institution

2. Fostering and supporting a community of practice

3. Helping with tricky questions

4. Formulating an approach

To discuss any of the above, contact one of our senior consultants, or send an email to Enquiry AHRECS enquiry@ahrecs.com.

While our activities are focussed on Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and…