VU Human Research Ethics Committee (VUHREC)

The Victoria University Human Research Ethics Committee (VUHREC) oversees the conduct of all VU research involving humans. We review all high-risk applications and applications from other institutions.

The Low Risk Human Research Ethics Panel (LRHREP) reviews applications deemed to be low or negligible risk. All LRHREP approvals are submitted to the VUHREC for ratification.

Terms of Reference

The University's Human Research Ethics Committee is guided by the Victoria University Human Research Ethics Committee Terms of Reference (PDF, 246.93 KB).

These Terms of Reference are based on the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2025, the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and Commonwealth and state laws.

For more information, please refer to the Guide to Managing and Investigating Potential Breaches of the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018.

Membership of Human Research Ethics Committee

The Victoria University Human Research Ethics Committee (VUHREC) is operated in accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2023.

The role of the Committee is to protect the rights and welfare of research participants and to foster research that is of benefit to the community.

About the membership

Members may be staff of the university or community members and may be retired, semi-retired or working.
One third of the membership should be from outside Victoria University and there should be equal numbers of men and women.
All Committee discussions and documentation are to be kept strictly confidential.
Members receive training and induction into the Committee, and are assigned a mentor.
Committee members have knowledge and understanding of the ethical principles that are applied to research involving humans, government legislation and guidelines relating to human research and ethics.
All members are volunteers and are appointed in their own right.
Papers and agendas are circulated electronically prior to the meetings held monthly (except for January) at Footscray Park Campus.

Membership consists of the following experts and community members:

: The Chair fulfils the following duties:
provides leadership in relation to human research ethics for the University
chairs meetings of the Human Research Ethics Committee
provides advice to the University on issues relating to human research ethics
represents the University publicly in relation to human research ethics
ensures that University policies and procedures relating to human research ethics are compliant with relevant legislation and guidelines.
: The Committee includes at least two people who bring a broad community or consumer perspective, and who have no paid affiliation with the institution.
This role includes the following tasks:
To review Committee papers and attend meetings.
Provide advice and feedback to reflect a lay person’s point of view.
: This role is fulfilled by a member with knowledge of and current experience in the areas of research that are regularly considered by the Human Research Ethics Committee.
These individuals should have substantial experience working with humans in research, have an excellent understanding of ethical issues related to the use of humans in research, and a broad appreciation of a range of research methodologies.
They provide expert advice and feedback in relation to legal and ethical principles applicable to research involving humans.
: The individual should have a basic understanding of ethical principles as applied to research. In addition, they should have knowledge of, and current experience in the professional care counselling and/or treatment of people, as, for example:
a nurse
social worker
psychologist
an allied health professional.
: The individual should have a basic understanding of ethical principles as applied to research. In addition, they should have knowledge of, and current experience performing a pastoral care role in a community (for example an Aboriginal elder, a minister of religion).
: Where possible, the lawyer is a Committee member who is not engaged to advise the institution.
They provide expert advice and feedback in relation to research.
: This Committee member provides expert advice and feedback in relation to research including that involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Applying ethical focus and six core values, — spirit and integrity, cultural continuity, equity, reciprocity, respect, and responsibility will ensure that research conducted with or for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities, or their data or biological samples, is ethically conducted.
Where appropriate, they consult with and apply:
Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities: Guidelines for researchers and stakeholders 2018
Keeping research on track II 2018

Joining the committee

If you're interested in joining the Victoria University Human Research Ethics Committee (VUHREC), please submit an expression of interest.

Selection of membership will be undertaken by a Selection Committee and due consideration will be given to the current composition of the Committee.

Meeting & submission dates

Committee dates are always on a Thursday. The agenda closure dates are 5pm on the Wednesday three weeks before the meeting to allow for a pre-review process.

Committee dates	Agenda closure date (5pm)
Thursday 12 February	Wednesday 21 January
Thursday 12 March	Wednesday 18 February
Thursday 16 April	Wednesday 18 March
Thursday 8 May	Wednesday 22 April
Thursday 11 June	Wednesday 20 May
Thursday 9 July	Wednesday 17 June
Thursday 13 August	Wednesday 22 July
Thursday 10 September	Wednesday 19 August
Thursday 8 October	Wednesday 16 September
Thursday 12 November	Wednesday 21 October
Thursday 10 December	Wednesday 18 November

Meeting & agenda closure dates - VU Human Research Ethics Committee (VUHREC) (PDF, 112.52 KB)

Due to the tight timeline, documents received after 5pm on the agenda closure date will be held over until the following meeting.

The Low Risk Human Research Ethics Panel may review applications deemed 'Low Risk' (as defined in the National Statement) at any time. Each application is reviewed by two College reviewers and the Chair. Please allow three to five weeks' turnaround for these applications.

Learn more about human research ethics

Current committee

Chairperson

Associate Professor Deborah Zion (Chair)

Lay people

Genevieve Leach
Dr Mark Roberts
Colin Yates
Sheree Proposch

Professional care/counselling

Professor Gina Kruger
Dr Amy Quayle

Pastoral/spiritual care

Ken Johnston

Lawyer

Mayada Dib
Deborah Macfarlane

Persons with expertise in research commonly considered by the committee

Professor Gina Kruger (Deputy Chair)
Associate Professor Kevin Ball
Dr Chitra DeSilva
Alessandro Garofolini
Associate Professor Aaron Petersen
Professor Debra Smith
Dr Rose Lucas
Dr Chris Mesango
Associate Professor Nina Van Dyke
Dr Bert Oraison
Dr Amy Quayle

Contact details

VUHREC Chair, Associate Professor Deborah Zion
+61 3 9919 4058 | [email protected]

Deputy Chair, Associate Professor Gina Kruger
+61 3 9919 4781 | [email protected]

Senior Manager, Research Ethics and Integrity, Elizabeth Hill
+61 3 9919 4781 | [email protected]

Senior Officer, Research Ethics and Integrity, Megan Garratt
+61 3 9919 4461 | [email protected]

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