Postgraduate research students

About ethics at Charles Darwin University

Charles Darwin University (CDU) has three ethics committees - the Human Research Ethics Committee, the Animal Ethics Committee, and the Faculty Ethics Committee - which monitor all ethical considerations associated with research carried out under the auspices of the University.

Who needs to apply for ethics clearance?

Ethical clearance from the Human Research or Animal Ethics committees must be obtained by any Charles Darwin University staff member or student who is intending to:

Conduct research which involves the participation use of, or which may impact upon, humans or animals
Carry out a teaching project which involves students carrying out an aspect of a research project which involves the participation or use of, or which may impact upon, humans or animals.

Honours and masters by coursework students need to apply to the relevant faculty ethics committee for human ethics clearance.

How do I apply for clearance?

First, you should make yourself familiar with the National Health and Medical Research Council's publications and guidelines. You will then need to choose from:

Submit all forms for the Human and Animal Ethics committees to Fiona Steele, Executive Officer, in the Research Office, at least two weeks prior to the meeting date. Submit forms for the Faculty Ethics Committee to the chair in the relevant faculty.

Closing dates

Applications are due two weeks before the relevant Ethics Committee meeting. Late applications will not be considered. Ethics clearance should be obtained before the commencement of activities.

Time frame for clearance

Ideally the ethics process will only take approximately three weeks from when you submit your application until when you receive a clearance notice. Applications for ethics clearance for projects involving animals or humans may, however, take up to two meetings of the relevant committee to be approved. This may be approximately nine weeks from the date that you submit your application. Time delays may be necessary for the committee to seek further information or clarification from the researcher regarding the project, and then to assess the researchers responses.

It is recommended the researchers start the ethics process as soon as possible prior to the commencement of research involving humans or animals. Research students and their supervisors should be especially aware of the possibility of delays, and may need to initiate this ethics clearance process soon after the commencement of the student's candidature.

Contact us

If you have any questions about obtaining ethics clearance, contact Fiona Steele, Executive Officer, Research Office.