Raising Concerns about Human Ethics

If you are a participant and have a complaint or concern about the research that you participated in, you can find contact details of the research team on the Participant Information Sheet. If you would prefer to discuss your complaint with someone that is not on the research team, contact the Ethics Manager: human.ethics.officer@anu.edu.au, +61 2 6125 1162.

The Ethics Office will advise the Chair of the relevant Ethics Committee of the complaint. The Chair will consider the complaint and will propose actions which may include:

• verifying that the researcher has conducted themselves according to the approved protocol
• requesting the researcher take steps to rectify the issue by, for example, deleting participant data or issuing an apology
• Recommend that the Chief, Office of Research and Information Services meet with the participant and/or the researcher
• Recommend that the Chief, Office of Research and Information Services refer the matter to the Office of Research Integrity
• temporarily suspend the ethics approval

All actions will be conducted in a confidential manner.

According to the National Statement Chapter 5.6, researchers may issue complaints about the process of ethical review, but cannot appeal a final decision to reject an ethics application.

Researchers are regularly required to submit a revised application during the review process. Applications are rarely rejected and only after careful consideration and communication with the applicant. If an application is being considered for rejection, the researcher will be given an opportunity to address the Committee’s concerns at an interview or Committee meeting. The decision by the Committee to reject an application is final and may not be appealed.

Complaints about the process of ethical review must be made in writing to the Chief of  Research and Information Services Chief.RI@anu.edu.au, who will inform the Chair of the Committee of the complaint, and investigate to resolve the matter.

ANU researchers must conduct research in line with the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, and the ANU Code of Conduct policy. If you believe that research misconduct has taken place, this complaint will be handled through Research Integrity. Please see the Responsible Research Practice webpage for more information.

Complaints or concerns about serious misconduct involving other people (e.g., harassment or bullying) should be resolved according to the relevant ANU Policies and Procedures (e.g., ANU Staff Grievance Resolution Procedure through ANU HR).