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The Australasian Human Research Ethics Consultancy Services (AHRECS) team brings extensive experience and expertise to support your research ethics needs. We have collaborated with research ethics committees, regulatory bodies, and professional organisations across Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam, ensuring compliance with international standards, including US OHRPP and ORI requirements.
Our team combines a deep theoretical understanding with a practical knowledge of regulatory frameworks. With over 20 years of collective experience, our senior consultants excel in implementing best practices in research ethics training, systems, and reforms. By partnering with AHRECS, you gain access to trusted advisors who can help you navigate complex requirements, enhance your systems, and ensure ethical excellence in your research practices.
Latest blog entries
Regulation of human epigenetic editing: ensuring international frameworks for governing Human Genome Editing don’t impede vital medical research
In this thoughtful post, Nik Zeps reflects on human genome manipulation in medical research, the ethical guidance in Australia and internationally. He discusses CRISPR and the furore in 2018 around the 'genetically modified babies' in China. Nik then discusses the degree to which the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed discussions about human genetic manipulation off the…
When it comes to the approach to human research ethics, did we buy London Bridge thinking it was Tower Bridge?
In this post, two experienced research ethics officers risk being decried as heretics by reflecting upon the justifications that are used for the current Human Research Ethics arrangements in countries around the world. They use the sale of London Bridge in the Sixties and the urban myth that the US millionaire who bought it thought…
Unnatural justice: Public allegations could cause significant harm to vital clinical trial activity
In this thought-provoking post, Nik Zeps (a consultant with AHRECS and a partner at Chrysalis) discusses the serious harm (in terms of reputation and career, as well as lost useful lines of inquiry) when there are complaints that allege ethical problems with clinical research. These relate to situations where the clinical research is evaluating different…
HREC and AEC Workshops in Perth
AHRECS is conducting Human Research Ethics and Animal Ethics workshops in Perth in November. Wed 3 November 2021 - Animal Ethics workshop The theme this year focuses on managing large groups of animals such as in laboratories, farms and in the wild. Researchers are adept at managing animals, but when the numbers become very large…
Expertise in ethics, research ethics or review?
In this terrific and thoughtful post, Colin Thomson AM, a Senior Adviser to AHRECS, reflects on what we mean when we talk about expertise i the context of Human Research Ethics Review. Do we mean expertise in ethics, research ethics or ethics review or a combination? Do they fit together seamlessly and easily or is…
Think of, and treat, consent as a powerful and complex verb, not a strictly defined and constrained noun
The notion of consent and the expectation researchers will seek the prior consent of participants has a long history in human research ethics. It has been a feature of many of the most infamous ethical Breakers commerce stamps and scandals. Consequently, it has become a baked in feature of most of the guidelines on human…
What do HREC members think and do when deciding about children’s participation in social research? Results from the MESSI survey
In this guest post, Associate Professor Stephanie Taplin (UTS) reflects upon the reflections and attitudes of members of a research ethics committee when reviewing a project involving sensitive issues, where the participants are young people. She reflects upon the degree that this consideration is based upon standards and expectations that are often not transparent to…
Investigating an ethical barrier – should HRECs require gatekeeper approval from universities before external research?
Investigating an ethical barrier – should HRECs require gatekeeper approval from universities before external research? | In this traffic post, Kate Christian questions the elephant in the room when it comes to research about universities. Why do ethics committees require the approval of the institution? Especially when participants aren't vulnerable. Whose interests are they protecting…
Samaritans UK: Developing ‘fit for purpose’ research ethics processes within a large third sector organisation
In this post, Simon Anderson (AHRECS Associate) and Liz Scowcroft (Head of Research & Evaluation, Samaritans UK) discuss the history of research ethics policy and research ethics review at Samaritans (UK). Part of this discussion reflected on moving beyond arrangements that are very similar to those used by higher education institutions toward something better suited…
Adele’s Adventures in Wonderland*: Reflections on a 12-year journey in ethics, research integrity and so much more
In this post, inspired by Lewis Carol's book, 'Alice in Wonderland' Adele Kay reflects on the wild and wacky (and sometimes surreal) experiences she had in a great career in the human research ethics, research integrity, animal, etc spaces. She generously shares observations, tips and suggestions how to navigate this space with good humour. Part…
You must be this ethical…
In this controversial post, AHRECS Senior Consultant Dr Gary Allen poses the challenging question: Should institutions with lean and fast proportional review arrangements leverage them as incentives for ethical behaviour. AHRECS recommends institutions resourcing reflective practice, rather than police compliance (https://ahrecs.com/resources/resourcing-reflective-practice-whiteboard-video-7-5-min) but could such a systemic reward be helpful? He discusses the behaviour that could…
The challenge of being ‘fit for purpose’
In this incredibly interesting post, Racheal Laugery reflects on an incredibly uncomfortable but very timely question. Is the current approach to research ethics review fit for purpose? In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, border closes and reduced international student income, insufficient government funding and a drive towards commercial research/commercialisation is our current approach to…
National Human Research Ethics Conference – an administrator’s perspective
In this terrific post, Sara Gottliebsen reflects on the last few years' experiences in organising the incredibly popular annual human research ethics webinar. This free event was first conceived of by Gorden McGurk, who has organised the webinars over the last few years. The Human Research Ethics conferences have established a very high standard for…
HREC decision-making about social research with children: the influence of payment, risk and method
In her latest thought-provoking post Stephanie Taplin reflects on social research with children/young adults and the impact of offering them incentives in the form of payments. These matters have been controversial for research ethics committee and resulted in a block of items in the review feedback from the reviewing committee/s. Despite the authority provided by…
Effective use of research management systems
In this post, Michael Creevey (the CEO of Endpoint IQ) discusses the effective and constructive use of research management systems, including research ethics modules. He discusses how a system can be used to resource and support a positive research culture within an institution. Effective systems should provide the tools so users and their stakeholders can…
AHRECS and Animal Ethics
During 2021 and 2022, AHRECS has been compiling an animal ethics team and we were thrilled when Dr Amanda Fernie joined our team. She is both an experienced researcher, a very experienced animal ethics officer and a former manager of a research and research integrity team at a large Australian university. In this post, she…
Pursuing compliance or ethical excellence?
In Australia or another country outside of Africa, would institution link to material about Ubuntu ethics? Especially if the institution isn't doing a great deal of research in Africa. In this post, Gary reflects on the argument that material should be included in an institution's Human Research Ethics resource library, even if doing so, won't…
2022 HREC Workshops
The Western Australian Human Research Ethics workshop series is back for 2022. Friday 30 September 2022 – Human Ethics workshop Interacting across boundaries: applying human research ethics in different situations. The workshop is being hosted by the Research Office at Notre Dame University, Fremantle, in conjunction with AHRECS (Australasian Human Research Ethics Consultancy Services). 8.30am…
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