VOLUNTEER MEMBERS – HUMAN RESEARCH ETHICS COMMITTEE
EXRESSION OF INTEREST
Legal Member and Pastoral Care Member
The Cairnmillar Institute is seeking expressions of interest for two volunteer member positions on its Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC):
- A suitably qualified lawyer, who may or may not be currently practising; and
- A person who performs a pastoral care role in a community, which may include, but is not limited to, an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Elder or community leader, a chaplain, minister of religion, religious leader, or another person with recognised experience providing pastoral, spiritual, cultural or community support.
The Cairnmillar Institute is a for-purpose, not-for-profit charity, higher education provider and provider of clinical services. The Institute specialises in psychology, counselling and psychotherapy education, research, training and community-facing clinical services. Through its academic
programs and clinics, Cairnmillar contributes to the development of the future mental health workforce while providing important psychological, counselling and psychotherapy services to the community, including low and no cost psychological and counselling services to those in need.
The Cairnmillar HREC provides independent ethical review, oversight and monitoring of human research conducted under the auspices of the Institute. The Committee supports the protection, dignity, rights, safety and wellbeing of research participants, researchers and communities, and helps ensure that research is conducted in accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research, the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, relevant legislation, institutional policies and applicable professional standards. HREC members contribute independent, balanced and informed perspectives to the ethical review of human research. Members assist the Committee to consider matters such as participant welfare, informed consent, privacy, confidentiality, risk, vulnerability, cultural and social implications, community impact, legal considerations, procedural fairness, and the respectful and responsible conduct of research.
The Legal Member will bring legal insight to the review of research proposals, including consideration of relevant legal, privacy, consent, confidentiality, risk and governance matters.
The Pastoral Care Member will bring a compassionate, community-informed perspective to the review of research proposals, including consideration of participant wellbeing, vulnerability, cultural and social context, and the broader impact of research on individuals and communities.
Members are expected to review research applications and related documentation, participate in HREC meetings and deliberations, exercise independent judgement, declare any actual or perceived conflicts of interest, and maintain strict confidentiality in relation to committee business and
research materials.
These are voluntary appointments for an initial term of three years, renewable subject to institutional approval and committee needs. The expected time commitment generally includes attendance at scheduled meetings, preparation and review of papers, participation in out-of-session reviews where required, and completion of induction and periodic training.
Applicants should be able to demonstrate sound judgement, discretion, strong communication skills, an ability to work collegially in a multidisciplinary committee environment, and a commitment to ethical research practice. Prior experience on ethics, governance, legal, pastoral care,
community, health, education or professional committees would be valued but is not essential.
How to apply:
Expressions of interest should include a brief cover letter outlining the role of interest, relevant experience and motivation for joining the HREC, together with a current CV.
For general enquiries, please contact: Dr Joanne Brooker, Deputy Chair HREC, email: Joanne.brooker@cairnmillar.edu.au
