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Ethics Committees
Ethics Committees
At Southern Cross University, any research involving humans, their data, or tissue, must receive ethics approval from an SCU Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) before commencement. This applies to research conducted by SCU staff, students, or visitors, and includes the use of university equipment, facilities, or premises.
SCU has a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) and two Low-Risk Committees (LRC) to review human research, operating in accordance with the National Statement. This ensures ethical standards are upheld in all research activities.
To determine which Committee will review your application, refer to Assessing the Level of Risk in your Research on the Applications and Approvals page.
NEW: Low Risk Review Process and Timelines
Details of the review process and indicative timeframes are now available below.
The Southern Cross University Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) is a registered HREC that meets monthly to review applications assessed as greater than low risk.
The Ethics Office screens applications promptly on receipt and may contact research teams if clarification or amendments are needed before formal review. If changes are requested, research teams are asked to respond within 5 working days.
Once ready, applications are allocated to HREC reviewers ahead of the Committee meeting. Key reviewer comments are generally provided to research teams before the meeting, giving you time to prepare.
Researchers are routinely invited to attend the meeting to briefly introduce the project and respond to questions. Formal HREC outcomes are communicated within one week of the meeting.
HREC Membership:
| Dr Gordon McGurk | Category A - Chair |
| Dr Joanne Bradbury | Deputy Chair |
| Professor Romy Lauche | Deputy Chair |
| Mr Rob Browne | Category B - Community Member |
| Dr Hedy Bryant | Category B - Community Member |
| Mr Julius Dias | Category B - Community Member |
| Ms Jafreen Khan | Category B - Community Member |
| Mr Leo Mucci | Category B - Community Member |
| Ms Simone Balzer | Category C - Healthcare Professional |
| Ms Alecia Filmer | Category C - Community Member |
| Dr Carrie Thomson-Casey | Category C - Healthcare Professional |
| Dr Robert Lingard | Category D - Pastoral Care |
| Ms Dona Graham | Category E - Lawyer |
| Professor David Heilpern | Category E - Lawyer |
| Ms Michaela Sunarso | Category E - Lawyer |
| Dr Belinda Barton | Category F - Research Expertise, Faculty of Health |
| Dr Joanne Bradbury | Category F - Research Expertise, Faculty of Health |
| Dr Emily Burch | Category F - Research Expertise, Faculty of Health |
| Dr Kylie Day | Category F - Research Expertise, Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples |
| Professor Romy Lauche | Category F - Research Expertise, National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine |
| Associate Professor Gail Moloney | Category F - Research Expertise, Faculty of Health |
| Dr Tom Round | Category F - Research Expertise, Faculty of Business, Law and Arts |
| Ms Vanessa Vigar | Category F - Research Expertise, National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine |
| Dr Lisa Marlow | Secretary |
Low-risk ethics applications are now typically reviewed on a rolling basis. After administrative screening by the Ethics Office, applications are allocated for review as they are ready.
Following submission, the Ethics Office screens the application and may contact research teams if clarification or minor amendments are needed. To support timely review, research teams are asked to respond to Ethics Office requests within 5 working days.
Once ready, applications are allocated to Low Risk Ethics Committee reviewers. Reviewers provide comments within 5 working days, and outcomes are sent within 2 working days of the review being finalised.
For guidance on what to include with your application, see the Applications and Approvals - Southern Cross University page.
Low Risk Committee Membership:
| Dr Gordon McGurk | Chair HREC |
| Dr Annabelle Keene | Faculty of Health |
| Dr Marie-Chantale Pelletier | Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Dr Liz Goode | SCU College |
| Professor Natalie Munro | Faculty of Health |
| Dr Mellie Green | Faculty of Education |
| Ms Kate Giles | Faculty of Health |
| Dr Felicity Walker | Faculty of Health |
| Dr Carla Valerio | Faculty of Education |
| Dr Reza Ghanbarzadeh | Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Ms Emily Rodger | Secretary |
| Mr Lincoln Nettleton | Secretary |