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.

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:

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 datesAgenda closure date
Thursday 8 February 2024Wednesday 17 January 2024, 5pm
Thursday 14 March 2024Wednesday 21 February 2024, 5pm
Thursday 11 April 2024Wednesday 20 March 2024, 5pm
Thursday 9 May 2024Wednesday 17 April 2024, 5pm
Thursday 13 June 2024Wednesday 22 May 2024, 5pm
Thursday 11 July 2024Wednesday 19 June 2024, 5pm
Thursday 8 August 2024Wednesday 17 July 2024, 5pm
Thursday 12 September 2024Wednesday 21 August 2024, 5pm
Thursday 10 October 2024Wednesday 18 September 2024, 5pm
Thursday 14 November 2024Wednesday 23 October 2024, 5pm
Thursday 12 December 2024Wednesday 20 November 2024, 5pm

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

  • Associate 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

  • Associate Professor Gina Kruger  (Deputy Chair)
  • Associate Professor Kevin Ball
  • Dr Chitra DeSilva
  • Alessandro Garofolini
  • Dr Maja Husaric
  • Professor Itamar Levinger
  • 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]