Lay Member – Human Research Ethics Committee

The Deakin University Human Research Ethics Committee (DUHREC) is seeking to appoint two new lay members (one male and one female). Lay members are people who have no affiliation with Deakin University and are not currently involved in medical, scientific or legal work, and who are preferably from the local community. We are looking for people with a variety of life experience, not specific skills or research background.

The Committee reviews all research projects that involve humans. At Deakin University, these research projects come from all of our faculties:

• Arts and Education,
• Business and Law,
• Health, and
• Science and Engineering and the Built Environment

They can include anything from biomedical procedures to classroom learning studies, or historical enquiries to questionnaires. The role of the Committee is to make sure that the rights of participants are always respected, and that no research goes ahead that has not met stringent requirements of safety and fairness. The rules governing research are set by the Commonwealth.

If you have an interest in research involving human participants, and the time to take part in the work of the Committee, we have the opportunity for you to be involved in this important work.

The members of the Committee include a Chair, at least two lay members (one man and one woman), a person or persons with experience in the areas of research normally considered by the Committee, a minister of religion, a lawyer and a professional carer. Committee work is voluntary and members receive a modest honorarium in appreciation of their time.

The commitment of Committee members

Committee members are usually appointed for a term of two years, which can be renewed. Members need to be familiar with the guidelines of research set out in the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007), which establishes the requirements for Human Research Ethics Committees and sets out the principles by which they make decisions. New members take part in an orientation process to help with this familiarisation.

Committee members are required to attend five Committee meetings per year and these are held on the Waurn Ponds, Geelong campus of Deakin University, usually on a Monday afternoon. Lunch is provided, and the meetings commence at 1.00 pm. In addition, Committee members will be invited to attend a training day some time during the year.

Prior to the meetings, members are also required to read and make recommendations in relation to applications, and to review the material circulated with the agenda one week before the meeting.

Expression of interest

If you are interested in being involved in the Deakin University Human Research Ethics Committee please email a one-page expression of interest by Friday 17th February 2017 to research-ethics@deakin.edu.au

In your expression of interest, you should provide a summary of your educational qualifications, work experience, and a brief statement setting out why you are interested in being a Committee member. If you have a current CV, you may include this.