Research committees

Terms of Reference

The University Research Committee (URC) is a formally constituted committee of Academic Senate. The Committee is responsible, within the University’s governance framework, for providing leadership in academic governance through oversight and quality assurance of all matters related to research and research training, research integrity and risk.

The academic governance framework of the University is consistent with the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards)

The URC will support the UOW Strategic Plan, in working toward a position in the top 1% of world universities, by building an outstanding research community that values emerging researchers and supports research-active staff to achieve the highest quality results and disseminate their benefits to user communities.

Responsibilities

• The URC shall:
  In accordance with the HESF (Threshold Standards), provide assurance and advice to Academic Senate and the Vice-Chancellor as to whether and how:
• research and research training activities are conducted in accordance with a research policy framework that is designed to achieve:
  1. ethical conduct of research and responsible research practice;
  2. clarification of ownership and management of intellectual property;
  3. successful management of research partnerships;
  4. clarification of requirements for publication and authorship, and
  5. resolution of allegations of misconduct in research.
• research is conducted, or overseen, by staff with qualifications, research experience and skills relevant to the type of research undertaken and their role.
• a system for accurate and up-to-date recording of the research outputs of staff and research students is maintained.
• research training is guided by and undertaken in accordance with the University’s approved policy framework and occurs in an environment of research/scholarly/creative activity with adequate resources and with competent continuing supervisory arrangements.
• Develop, monitor and review policies within the University’s research policy framework relating to the University’s research activities, including research and research training and internationalisation, and ensure their compliance with State and Commonwealth legislation, and other relevant codes and standards.

• Provide effective oversight, through monitoring, reviewing and endorsing the activities of its sub-committees.

• Guide the development of the University’s strategic research priorities and objectives and provide oversight of research performance within the framework of the University’s Strategic Planning process.

• Review guidelines for the formation and/or continuation of University Research Institutes and Faculty Research Centres.

• Review and monitor the University’s Global Challenges Program and other mechanisms that encourage interdisciplinary research within the University.

• Provide leadership and advice on mechanisms to improve monitoring, benchmarking and reporting of the University’s research performance.

• Facilitate the effective exchange and dissemination of information concerning research and research training issues to the broader research community through robust communication processes.

• Inform and advise the Academic Senate and the Vice-Chancellor on research and research training matters as they arise.

The URC and its sub-committees complement and support the following roles and functions responsible for managing or running the various research activities of the University:

• The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Sustainable Futures)
• The Dean of Graduate Research
• Research & Sustainable Futures Division (RSF)
• Faculty Research Committees
• University Research Institutes
• UOW Global Challenges

Membership

The URC shall consist of:

• The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Sustainable Futures) (DVC(RSF)) (Chair)
• The Dean of Graduate Research (Deputy Chair)
• The Chair, Academic Senate (or delegate)
• All Associate Deans (Research)
• The Dean of Research Knowledge Exchange and Translation
• The Dean(s) of Researcher Development and Integrity
• An Associate Dean (Equity, Diversity & Inclusion)
• The Executive Directors of AIIM, Early Start and SMART (or delegate)
• Up to six Research Leaders invited by the DVC(RSF)
• Up to three additional members, including an Early Career Researcher, invited by the DVC(RSF)
• UOW Global Enterprises representative invited by the DVC(RSF)
• A Higher Degree Research (HDR) student representative (invited by the DVC(RSF))
• Director, Research Services Office
• Director, iAccelerate Research
• Senior Manager, Innovation and Commercial Research
• Director, Graduate Research School
• UOW Dubai Representative as invited by the DVC(RSF)

University Research Committee Membership

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Sustainable Futures) Chair

Professor Eileen McLaughlin (Interim)

Dean of Graduate Research Deputy Chair

Professor Simon Moss

Chair, Academic Senate (or Delegate)

Professor Nina Reynolds

Pro Vice-Chancellor (Industry and Engagement)

Dr Paul Di Pietro

Pro Vice-Chancellor (University Impact)

Professor Bradley Williams

Deans (Research)

Dean, Researcher Development, Distinguished Professor Sharon Robinson

Dean, Research Integrity Development and Ethics, Professor Susan Thomas

Associate Deans (Research)

Faculty of Engineering & Information Sciences (EIS) - Michael Lerch
Faculty of Business and Law (BAL) - Professor Shahriar Akter
Faculty of Science, Medicine & Health (SMAH) - Professor Helen McGregor
Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (ASSH) - Associate Professor Catherine MacPhail

Associate Dean (Equity, Diversity & Inclusion)

Associate Professor Yasmine Probst

Executive Directors (or Delegate)

Research Platforms - Associate Professor Germanas Peleckis
Early Start Research Institute - Professor Lisa Kervin

Up to six Research Leaders (or Delegate) as invited by the DVC(RSF)

ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity & Heritage (CABAH) - Distinguished Professor Richard Roberts
National Institute for Applied Statistical Research Australia (NIASRA) - Professor Marijka Batterham
Australian Centre for Culture, Environment, Society and Space (ACCESS) - Senior Professor Pauline McGuirk
Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) - Distinguished Professor Stuart Kaye 

Up to three Additional Invited Members (including an ECR)

School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Professor Kathleen Clapham
School of Mathematics and Applied Statistics, Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Distinguished Professor Aidan Sims

Early Career Researcher Representative - Dr Amanda Gigliotti

Higher Degree Research Student Representative as invited by the DVC(RSF)

PhD Candidate (ASSH) - Ms Jasmyn Connell

RaID Representatives

Director, Research Services Office - Ms Sharon Martin
Senior Manager, Innovation & Commercial Research - Mr George Tomka
Director, iAccelerate - Dr Tamantha Stutchbury
Director, Graduate Research School - Mr Matthew Perry

UOW Global Enterprises Representative as invited by the DVC(RSF)

Dean, Global Academic Affairs - Professor Christian Ritz

UOW Dubai Representative as invited by the DVC(RSF)

Director Research, School of Engineering, UOW Dubai - Dr Stephen Wilkinson

UOW Hong Kong Representative as invited by the DVC(RSF)

Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, UOW Hong Kong - Professor Geoffrey Blowers

UOW Malaysia Representative as invited by the DCV(RSF)

UOW Malaysia College – Principal - Professor Dr Hon Wei Min

The DVC(R&I) will appoint members to the URC for a term of two years and will consider disciplinary balance and spread, when inviting additional members.

Both genders are to be represented on the URC and all URC sub-committees, and if necessary additional members will be co-opted to meet this requirement.

Executive Secretary, Director, Research Services Office

Minutes Secretary, Executive Assistant to the Director, Research Services Office

Quorum

The Committee shall have a quorum which is equal to one half or, where one half is not a whole number, the whole number next higher than one half of the total number of members of the Committee.

Meeting Frequency

The URC will meet up to four times per year.

URC Sub-committees

The following sub-committees support the URC:

• Graduate Research Committee
• Research Integrity Committee
• Research IT & Systems Committee
• Research Infrastructure Advisory Group
• Faculty Research Committees

2024 meetings

Meeting minutes

2024:

• Meeting 01/2024 held 21 February 2024
• Meeting 02/2024 held 5 June 2024

2023:

• Meeting 01/2023 held 9 March 2023
• Meeting 02/2023 held 11 May 2023
• Meeting 03/2023 held 29 June 2023
• Meeting 04/2023 held 30 August 2023

2022:

• Meeting 01/2022 held 9 February 2022
• Meeting 02/2022 held 28 April 2022
• Meeting 03/2022 held 1 June 2022
• Meeting 04/2022 held 24 August 2022
• Meeting 5/2022 held 26 October 2022

2021:

• Meeting 01/21 held 18 February 2021
• Meeting 02/21 held 9 June 2021
• Meeting 03/21 held 1 September 2021
• Meeting 04/2021 held 2 November 2021
• Special URC Meeting held on 6 September 2021

2020: 

• Meeting 01/20 held 3 March 2020
• Meeting 02/20 held 14 May 2020
• Meeting 03/20 held 29 July 2020
• Meeting 04/20 held 21 October 2020

Terms of Reference

The Graduate Research Committee (GRC), chaired by the Dean of Graduate Research, reports to the University Research Committee. The GRC oversees the trends, regulations, policies, procedures, guidelines and quality assurance relating to Higher Degree Research (HDR) programs, candidates and supervisors.

Responsibilities

The Graduate Research Committee (GRC) shall:

• inform and approve strategic and operational plans on how to enhance graduate research—as well as develop, monitor, and review policy documents to achieve these plans,
• ensure that graduate research and research training activities comply with the University’s policy framework and national standards around graduate research,
• collate and respond to feedback from HDR candidates, supervisors, and the broader research community about HDR matters—as well as communicate changes to this community,
• consider advice from other UOW research committees, including the Research Integrity

Specific activities:

• oversee the allocation of graduate research scholarships including, but not limited to, Research Training Program and University Postgraduate Award scholarships,
• optimise the supervision of graduate researchers and confirm these supervisors have acquired the relevant experience, skills, and qualifications,
• oversee the work and quality of the Thesis Examination Committee,
• establish other working parties or sub-committees to optimise specific activities around graduate research, such as internships and joint PhD degrees.

Evaluation:

• establish benchmarks and criteria to monitor the admission, orientation, experience, training, progress, support, performance, and careers of graduate researchers and supervisors—and report these outcomes to the University Research Committee—with reference to specific cohorts, such as First Nations candidates, international students, and students who report a disability,
• suggest changes to address shortfalls on these benchmarks and criteria,
• oversee the development and reviews of HDR courses, including eligibility criteria, in line with University policies,
• consider matters of concern around graduate research and research training, such as instances of research misconduct, grievances, complaints and appeals, as well as initiate actions to address systemic concerns at least once a year,
• inform and advise the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research & Sustainable Futures) and the Academic Senate on matters or concerns around graduate research and research training,
• annually review the performance of this committee against the TOR and suggest

Membership

The Graduate Research Committee (GRC) shall consist of:

• Dean of Graduate Research (Chair)
• Deputy Dean of Researcher Development (Deputy Chair)
• Associate Deans (Higher Degree Research)
• Director, Graduate Research School
• Chair of Thesis Examination Committee (TEC)
• Representatives of the Head of Postgraduate Studies (one per Faculty)
• One international and one domestic HDR candidate representatives
• One representative of First Nations communities
• One representative from the Division of Student

The Secretary to the GRC will be the Executive Assistant to the Dean of Graduate Research. Members may nominate a standing nominee to attend on their behalf.

The Chair will appoint members to the GRC for a term of two years and will consider disciplinary balance when inviting additional members. The Chair may co-opt individuals with relevant expertise, with consideration of balance in gender, research experience, and other relevant characteristics.

Meetings

The Committee will meet at least 6 times a year excluding working parties and sub-committees

 Quorum

The quorum for the GRC is half the number of committee members plus one.

Terms of Reference

The Research Integrity Committee (RIC) is a formally constituted Sub-Committee of the University Research Committee (URC). The Committee is responsible, within the University’s governance framework, for the promotion of research excellence by and driving the principles developed for responsible research conduct that provides a foundation for high-quality research, credibility and community trust in the research profession as required by the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (the “Code”). The Legal and Operational Framework for Research Integrity at UOW (PDF) guideline lists other legislation and codes that apply.

Responsibilities

The RIC will drive a culture of responsible conduct of research as an integral part of all research behaviours, to promote research excellence at UOW.

The RIC will:

Actively promote the responsible conduct of research and ensure that UOW has the policies and processes in place to meet the requirements of the Code. The RIC will assist in the development and review of key research policies and provide advice to the URC.

Actively promote and monitor compliance with appropriate legislation and codes governing research integrity, including monitoring UOW policies, procedures and guidelines in response to new or changed legislation and implementing appropriate compliance programs.

Actively engage in the planning, implementation and monitoring of educational and training programs as well as other resources to ensure University staff, students and affiliated researchers are aware of compliance and accountability requirements related to the Code and other legislation impacting on the responsible conduct of research.

Actively provide advice and guidance on all UOW research integrity related processes such as ethics and research misconduct, including identifying ways to streamline processes and forms between systems, continuous improvement of legislative compliance programs and reviewing anonymised allegations or aggregated data on research misconduct in order to identify common issues and develop mechanisms to prevent reoccurrence.

This RIC will provide coherence to research integrity activities and effectively create links between relevant areas within the University. The Committee will therefore also serve as an advisory body on research-related integrity matters to other UOW operational committees(See Legal and Operational Framework for Research Integrity at UOW (PDF)).

Membership

The RIC shall consist of:

• Dean of Researcher Development and Integrity, or a senior academic appointed by the DVC (Research and Sustainable Futures) (Chair)
• Dean of Graduate Research (or nominee)
• Associate Dean, Research (or nominee) from each Faculty
• Research Integrity Advisor Network representative *
• Director, Research Services Office (or nominee)
• Director, Governance Unit (or nominee)
• Associate Director, Research Integrity and Ethics (or nominee)
• HDR Student representative *
• Chair, UOW/ISLHD Human Research Ethics Committee (Health & Medical)
• Chair, UOW/ISLHD Human Research Ethics Committee (Social Sciences)
• Chair, Animal Ethics Committee
• Chair, Institutional Biosafety Committee
• Up to three (3) additional academic staff members * may be appointed by the Chair

* Positions not filled ex officio have a term of two (2) years and will be appointed by the Chair.

Deputy Chair: A deputy chair shall be appointed by the Dean of Research Integrity Development and Ethics to receive delegation of all chair duties in the absence of the chair. The deputy chair must be a voting member and a staff member of the University who possesses the skills to management to business of the Research Integrity Committee.

Executive Officer: Research Integrity Officer, Research Integrity and Ethics.

* Positions not filled ex officio have a term of two (2) years and will be appointed by the Chair

The Chair may choose to invite experts to the meeting to provide advice to the Committee.

The RIC aims to be an equitable and diverse committee and if necessary additional members will be co-opted to meet this requirement.

Current RIC members

Dean of Researcher Development and Integrity, or a senior academic appointed by the DVC(RSF) (Chair) 

Professor Susan Thomas

Dean of Graduate Research (or nominee) 

Professor Simon Moss

Associate Deans (Research) (or nominee)

• Dr Glen Wheeler, Faculty of Engineering & Information Sciences (EIS)
• Dr Nadia Zainuddin, Faculty of Business and Law (BAL)
• Professor Helen McGregor, Faculty of Science, Medicine & Health (SMAH)
• Associate Professor Catherine MacPhail, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (ASSH)

Research Integrity Advisor Network Representative *

Vacant

Director, Research Services Office (or nominee)

Ms Sharon Martin

Director, Governance Unit (or nominee)

Ms Sunny Skipp

Associate Director, Research Integrity and Ethics

Ms Aimee Wall (interim)

Higher Degree Research (HDR) Student Representative *

Ms Lisa Kilgariff

Chair, UOW/ISLHD Human Research Ethics Committee (Health & Medical)

Professor Mirella Dottori

Chair, UOW/ISLHD Human Research Ethics Committee (Social Sciences)

Associate Professor Natalia Hanley

Chair, Animal Ethics Committee

Dr Malcolm France

Chair, Institutional Biosafety Committee

Ms Katie Cicero (nominee)

Up to three (3) additional academic staff members * may be appointed by the DVC(RSF)

• Professor Attila Mozer
• Vacant
• Vacant

In Attendance

• Research Integrity Officer: Mrs Ryah Perkiss
• Research Integrity Compliance Officer: Rhia Bennett
• Executive Assistant and Minutes Secretary: Ms Lil Miller

Quorum

The Committee shall have a quorum which is equal to one half or, where one half is not a whole number, the whole number next higher to one half of the total number of members of the Committee.
The total number of members, for the purposes of the quorum, shall exclude the Chairs of the Ethics (Human and Animal) and Institutional Biosafety Committee.

Meeting Frequency

The RIC will meet at least four (4) times per year.
The Committee may also establish working parties for specific projects. Expert advisors and appointees to working parties do not need to be permanent members of the Committee. Working parties shall report to the Committee.

Committees overseen by the RIC

The following committees have their operations overseen by the RIC:

• Human Research Ethics Committee (Health and Medical);
• Human Research Ethics Committee (Social Sciences);
• Animal Ethics Committee;
• Institutional Biosafety Committee.

2024 meetings

2025 meetings

Agenda deadlines are the dates by which items and papers must be received by the uow-researchintegrity@uow.edu.au.

Terms of Reference

The Research Information Technology and Systems (RITAS) Committee is responsible for the development and execution of strategy in support of the URC and the wider UOW community. These responsibilities include:

• Governance of research IT projects
• Research data management (RDM)
• High performance computing (HPC)
• Specialised research IT
• Research performance reporting
• External partnerships (such as ARDC, NCI and Microsoft)
• Other strategic initiatives

The Committee meetings will facilitate:

• Cross-divisional information sharing and discussion
• Senior Executive briefings
• Program and project status reporting against the Research Systems Roadmap
• Research community consultation
• Discussion, development and review of research IT strategy
• Development and maintenance of relevant policy instruments

Structure/reporting lines

The RITAS Committee reports directly to the University Research Committee.

Roles and responsibilities of members

Members of this Committee represent key decision makers and stakeholders in UOW Research IT. A member may delegate the responsibility to a relevant staff member in their area, in the event they are unavailable.

The RITAS Committee shall consist of the following members:

• Associate Director, Research Analytics & Systems (Chair)
• Director, Research Services Office (Deputy Chair)
• Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Sustainable Futures)
• Dean (Graduate Research)
• Director, Graduate Research School
• Chief Information Digital Officer, IMTS
• Chief Data and Analytics Officer, DnA
• Associate Director, Research and Learning, Library
• Associate Director, Infrastructure Services, IMTS
• Portfolio Manager, Infrastructure, Research & Library, IMTS
• Senior Manager, Data Culture & Transformation, DnA
• Senior Manager, Innovation and Commercial Research Unit
• Research Business Applications Manager, RSO
• Research Reporting and Analytics Manager, RSO
• System Reporting and Analytics Coordinator, GRS
• A Research Institute/Centre Directory invited by the DVC(R&SF)
• A researcher with advanced computing needs & interest, nominated by DVC(R&SF)
• Chair of the HPC Steering Committee
• Chair of the Research Data Management Working Group
• Up to two additional members invited by the DVC(R&SF)

Additional members may be co-opted to the Committee in an advisory capacity, based on their expertise in particular areas.

Current RITAS members

Associate Director, Research Analytics & Systems  Chair

Ms Claire Carter

Director, Research Services Office
Deputy Chair

Ms Sharon Martin

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Sustainable Futures)

Senior Professor Eileen McLaughlin (Interim)

 Dean (Graduate Research)

Professor Simon Moss

Director, Graduate Research School

Mr Matthew Perry

Chief Information Digital Officer, IMTS

Mr Ray Coury

Chief Data & Analytics Officer, DnA

Mr Brad Dixon

Associate Director, Infrastructure Services, IMTS

Mr Richard O'Connor 

Associate Director, Research & Learning, Library

Ms Georgina Konstanta

Portfolio Manager, Infrastructure, Research & Library, IMTS

Ms Jennifer Brodie

Senior Manager, Data Culture & Transformation, DnA

Mr Dylan Bardsley

Senior Manager, Innovation & Commercial Research Unit

Dr George Tomka

Research Business Applications Manager, RSO

Ms Ann Hollifield

Research Reporting & Analytics Manager, RSO

Ms Willo Boniface

System Reporting & Analytics Coordinator, GRS

Mr Abhilash Vijayan

A Research Institute/Centre Directory invited by the DVC(R&SF)

Professor Marijka Batterham

Chair of the HPC Steering Committee

Professor Haibo Yu

Chair of the Research Data Management Working Group

Ms Penny Cross

Up to two additional members invited by the DVC(R&SF)

Dr Nicholas Deutscher

Working groups

The Research IT and Systems Committee shall establish working groups for specific projects. Appointees do not need to be members of the Committee.

Working Groups supporting and reporting to the Committee include:

• High Performance Computing (HPC) Steering Committee
• Research Data Management (RDM) Working Group
• Project Control Groups (as required to govern and direct individual projects)

Updates will be provided by Working Groups and sub-committees at each Committee meeting.

Meetings

The Committee will meet at least five times per year.

Minutes Secretary

Research Systems Analyst, Research Services Office

Quorum

The Committee shall have a quorum which is equal to one half or, where one half is not a whole number, the whole number next higher to one half of the total number of members of the Committee.

2024 meetings

Terms of Reference

The Research Infrastructure Advisory Group (RIAG) provides advice and recommendations to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) for the provision of physical and digital resources to support University research, in alignment with the 2020-2025 Research and Innovation Strategy.

An intentional approach to the planning, acquisition, management, development, sustainability, and disposal of such infrastructure investments will boost the University’s research capability. RIAG will assist by focussing on current and emerging infrastructure needs aligned with UOW’s strengths and future opportunities.

An initial objective of RIAG will be to develop a Research Infrastructure Management (RIM) plan and conduct an audit of current major equipment and infrastructure (with input from relevant Faculties, Research Centres and Institutes). The RIM plan will outline priorities for new or replacement equipment and infrastructure over the next five years. It is expected that major equipment and infrastructure applications will refer to and align with the RIM plan, which will be updated annually ahead of equipment and infrastructure funding requests.

Responsibilities

RIAG will monitor the utilisation, capacity, maintenance and planning of shared major research equipment and infrastructure (including):

OPERATIONAL

1. Location, access arrangements and space requirements;
2. Technology requirements, including hardware, software, High Performance Computing (HPC), network infrastructure and cloud computing resources.

STRATEGIC

1. Assessing existing and future research infrastructure needs at UOW;
2. Overseeing UOW’s high-level infrastructure and asset management plans, including relevant information technology infrastructure and assets;
3. Reviewing the business cases and risk management documentation relating to major research infrastructure; and
4. Reviewing research infrastructure funding applications to ensure they align with the RIM plan and UOW’s overarching infrastructure This includes (but is not limited to):

a. UOW Major Equipment Grants (MEG),
b. ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF) grants; and
c. National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) submissions.

RIAG will also oversee identification and coordination of: 

1. Opportunities for enhanced sharing of significant existing resources (including external collaborative and commercial access);
2. Opportunities to access external funding to develop University research infrastructure (including in partnership with external organisations);
3. Emerging plans and future needs for the acquisition of research infrastructure (whilst minimising duplication); and
4. Opportunities to maximise research collaboration through the use of research infrastructure.

GOVERNANCE

1. RIAG is a sub-committee of the University Research Committee (URC), and will provide regular reports to both the URC and the People and Culture, Finance and Infrastructure Committee (PaCFIC).
2. There is no formal requirement for a quorum.
3. RIAG will meet quarterly at a minimum. Additional meetings may be scheduled as necessary.

Membership

Members of RIAG represent key decision makers and stakeholders in research infrastructure at UOW and include:

• Dean of Research Knowledge Exchange and Translation (Chair)
• Dean of Graduate Research or delegate
• Director of the Research Services Office or delegate
• Executive Directors / Directors of Research Centres and Institutes with major infrastructure requirements
• Associate Deans of Research
• Information Management and Technology Services (IMTS) Representative
• Finance Representative
• Facilities Management Division (FMD) Representative
• Library Representative
• A representative from the Finance and Infrastructure Committee (FIC)
• Other UOW staff (by invitation) with relevant expertise and experience

Additional members may be co-opted to the Group in an advisory capacity based on their expertise in relevant areas.

Executive support will be provided by the Office of the Dean RKET.

Membership of RIAG will be reviewed annually.

Current RIAG Members

Pro Vice-Chancellor (Industry & Engagement)

Dr Paul Di Pietro (Chair)

Dean of Graduate Research or delegate

Simon Moss

Director of the Research Services Office or delegate

Sharon Martin

Executive Directors/Directors of Research Centres and Institutes with major infrastructure requirements

iAccelerate - Tamantha Stutchbury
Faculty of Engineering & Information Sciences (EIS) - Christian Ritz
Australian Institute for Innovative Materials (AIIM) - Germanas Peleckis
Sustainable Buildings Research Centre (EIS) - Duane Robinson

Associate Deans of Research

ANFF Materials Node (AIIM) - Peter Innis
Faculty of Business and Law (BAL) - Shahriar Akter
Faculty of Engineering & Information Sciences (EIS) - Michael Lerch
Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (ASSH) - Catherine MacPhail
Faculty of Science, Medicine & Health (SMAH) - Heath Ecroyd

Information Management and Technology Services (IMTS) Representative

Richard O’Connor

Finance Representative

Emillie Lokys

Facilities Management Division (FMD) Representative

Kathleen Packer

Library Representative

Leanne Webster

Finance and Infrastructure Committee (FIC) Representative

Kathleen Packer

By invitation

Faculty of Science, Medicine & Health (SMAH) - Martina Sanderson-Smith
Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (ASSH) - Lisa Kervin
Information Management and Technology Services (IMTS) - Jennifer Brodie
Information Management and Technology Services (IMTS) - Rongbo Du
Facilities Management Division (FMD) - Craig Dow
Strategic Planning - Ellenie Petrou
Research Services Office (RSO) - Lisa Simmons

End of Year Closure: As requested by the Vice Chancellor, the ethics unit will be operating on reduced staff from the 16th of December and will be unattended from Friday, 20 December until Thursday, 2 January.  

The HREC will hold their first executive meeting of 2025 on Tuesday, 14 January, with the agenda deadline being midday on Friday, 10 January.

Please note that the online ethics portal, IRMA, will be offline from 4pm on Friday, 20 December until 9am on Thursday, 2 January, 2025.

There are two Human Research Ethics Committees (HREC), the Social Sciences HREC and the Health and Medical HREC.  Research involving children, vulnerable groups, overseas participants, invasive procedures or a sensitive topic generally requires review by a Full HREC, the meeting dates and agenda deadlines of which are available below.  On average, the review process takes six weeks from date of submission; you should allow eight weeks for the process.

Low risk research is reviewed by the Executive Committees of the HRECs. The Executive Committees meet weekly and the agenda deadline for this meeting is Friday 12pm.  On average, the review process takes 2-3 weeks from date of submission; you should allow six weeks for the process.

HREC reviews are sent to the research team within 10 working days of the meeting.

Please note that pressing ‘submit’ commences the electronic ‘sign-off’ process for the application. It is only once all signatures required have been actioned that the application is received in our office for processing.  Co-investigators are required to sign off first, then the Chief Investigator, then the Chief Investigator’s Head of School, who acts as the final sign off.  Please ensure you allow enough time for the sign off process to be finalised before the agenda deadline as an application is only submitted in full once all sign offs are completed.

 If you have any questions, please contact the Human Ethics team at uow-humanethics@uow.edu.au.

Terms of Reference

Social Sciences Full HREC

2024 Remaining Meeting Dates

2025 1st quarter Meeting Dates:

Health & Medical Full HREC

2024 Remaining Meeting Dates

2025 1st quarter Meeting Dates:

UOW HREC Membership Pool

Members of the UOW HREC membership pool are able to contribute to both the Health and Medical HREC and the Social Sciences HREC, in accordance with Section 5 of the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2023).

Professor Mirella Dottori, Chair Stem Cells Researcher

Associate Professor Natalia Hanley, Chair Criminology Researcher

Professor James Greenstein, Deputy Chair Professional Carer

Associate Professor Khin Win, Deputy Chair Researcher (Computing and Information Technology)

Dr Anna Sidis, Deputy Chair Professional Carer / Researcher (Psychology)

Ben Hession, Community Member

Michelle Bentrup, Community Member

Anoop Sud, Community Member

Father George Condookala, Pastoral Carer / Community Member

Cameron Dribbus, Pastoral Carer / Community Member

Dr Duncan Rintoul, Pastoral Carer / Community Member

Dr Elli Storey, Professional Carer / Ethicist

Dr Judy Pickard, Professional Carer / Researcher (Psychology)

Dr Benjamin Thomas, Professional Carer / Researcher (Palliative Medicine)

Dr Caitlin Keighley, Professional Carer / Researcher (Microbiology)

Timothy Llewellyn, Professional Carer

Mark Saunders, Lawyer

Guy Foster, Lawyer / Community Member

Linda Wright, Lawyer / Community Member

William Dalley, Lawyer / Community Member

Associate Professor Albert Mellick, Researcher (Oncology)

Dr Hassan Hosseinzadeh, Researcher (Health and Society)

Dr Ibrahim Alananzeh, Researcher (Nursing, UOW Dubai)

Dr Della Maneze, Researcher (Nursing)

Dr Lauren Roach, Clinical Trials Management

Crystal Arnold, Researcher (Health and Society) / Indigenous HREC member

Dr Anthony McKnight, Researcher (Education) / Indigenous HREC member

Dr Jennifer Algie, Researcher (Business)

Dr Paul Chad, Researcher (Business)

Dr Lynette Cronin, Researcher (Education)

Dr Lynn Sheridan, Researcher (Education)

Dr Aaron Burton, Researcher (Arts, English and Media)

Dr Cammi Webb-Gannon, Researcher (Health and Society) 

2024 meetings

Animal Ethics Committee:

Meeting time: 12:30pm. Venue: RSO Presentation Room 20.109 

* Agenda deadlines are the dates by which fully signed applications must be received by the Animal Ethics Officer. Investigators submitting new applications need to “submit” their online application well in advance of this date so that it can progress through the electronic “sign-off” process.  For more information please see the Animal Ethics Application user manual.

2024 sub-committee:

Meeting time: 12:30pm. Venue: Zoom

*Agenda deadlines are the dates by which amendment requests must be received at the Research Services Office by the Ethics Unit (Note: applications may only be considered at a full committee meeting.

The University of Wollongong has established the Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) to review the ethical aspects of research and teaching for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes.

The purpose of the Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) is to review the ethical aspects of research and teaching for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes.

2025 meetings

Animal Ethics Committee:

2025 sub-committee:

Membership

The University of Wollongong Animal Ethics Committee is constituted according to the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes 8th Edition 2013. The membership comprises at least one person from each of the following categories, and Categories C and D must together represent at least one-third of the Animal Ethics Committee membership.

• Chair
• Category A - Veterinarian: A person with qualifications in veterinary science that are recognised for registration as a veterinary surgeon in Australia, and with experience relevant to the institution's activities or the ability to acquire relevant knowledge.
• Category B - Animal Researcher: A suitably qualified person with substantial recent experience in the use of animals for scientific purposes relevant to the institution and the business of the Animal Ethics Committee.  This must include possession of a higher degree in research or equivalent experience.
• Category C - Animal Welfare Member; A person with demonstrable commitment to, and established experience in, furthering the welfare of animals, who is not employed by or otherwise associated with the institution, and who is not currently involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. The person should, where possible, be selected on basis of active membership of, and endorsement by, such an organisation.
• Category D - Lay Person: A person not employed by, or otherwise associated with, the institution and who has never been involved in the use of animals in scientific or teaching activities, either in their employment or beyond their undergraduate education.
• Animal Welfare Officer
• Ethicist

Before conducting or commencing any research investigation involving animals, staff and students of the University are required to submit a research ethics application to the AEC and obtain approval to ensure that all statutory requirements are met.

Terms of Reference (PDF)

Contact

E: uow-animalethics@uow.edu.au 

The Institutional Biosafety Committee was established in 2019, replacing the former Gene Technology Review Committee.

Terms of Reference

• Terms of Reference (PDF)

Meetings

The IBC meets five times a year on a Thursday from 12:30pm – 2:30pm.

The meetings are held via Zoom.

Agenda deadlines and meeting dates 2025

*Agenda items must be submitted to: uow-biosafety@uow.edu.au by 12 noon on the deadline day. Items received after this date and time will be placed on the papers of the next meeting.

Members

• Ms Katie Cicero, Acting Chair
• Associate Professor Martina Sanderson-Smith, Chair
• Mr Darren Smith
• Professor Jeremy Crook
• Dr Eva Tomaskovic-Crook
• Mr Mark Aikman
• Professor Chao Deng
• Assoc. Professor Guangming Jiang 
• Mr Mark Webb
• Ms Francine Cox (Executive Officer)

All correspondence for the IBC is to be sent to: uow-biosafety@uow.edu.au