Research Intranet - Research ethics and integrity

The Australian Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching in Australia was developed by the Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART) and launched in August 2023.

Signatories of the Openness Agreement must demonstrate their commitment to be open about the use of animals in research and teaching, and support well-informed public discussion and awareness of the reasons why animals are used, the benefits derived, the limitations that apply, and the steps taken to minimise harm.

Edith Cowan University, as a signatory of the Openness Agreement since its launch in 2023, has pledged to fulfill the four Commitments:

1. We will be open about our involvement in the use of animals.
2. We will enhance our communications with the media and the public about our use of animals.
3. We will be proactive in providing opportunities for the public to find out about research or teaching involving the use of animals.
4. We will report annually on our efforts to improve openness in our use of animals.

https://anzccart.adelaide.edu.au/ua/media/884/openness-agreement-aug-2023.pdf

Even if you know your work requires review by the Animal Ethics Committee you are first asked to complete the Proportional Review Checklist to have your project entered in to REMS and the most appropriate review pathway identified. Please visit the Proportional Review Checklist web page for more information.

The Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) abides by guidelines and legislation to ensure the humane care of animals used for scientific purposes, including teaching.

As an applicant, you should consult the guidelines when preparing ethics applications. If you are a student researcher, you should discuss your ethics application with your supervisors.

You should ensure that all necessary documents are attached to your ethics application in REMS. Documents that support your application for ethics approval will usually include:

• Research proposal/Grant application;

Other documents that may assist the ethics committee include:

• Ethics approval from any other Animal Ethics Committee;
• Any required permits or licenses; and

Letters of approval from other institutions or organisations involved in the research.

Complete and submit your ethics application online via REMS.

To be reviewed at the next meeting, applications must be submitted by the close of agenda. Please check the meeting schedule .

All applications for research or teaching activities involving animals are reviewed by the Animal Ethics Committee.

A preliminary review of applications is conducted by the Research Ethics Team to ensure that all information is included. You may be asked for additional information or changes to the application.

Your ethics application (including related documents) will be placed on the Agenda for review by the AEC at the next meeting. Applicants are encouraged to attend the meeting to discuss their application with the Committee. Please contact the Research Ethics Team for meeting details.

You will be advised of the outcomes of the review and may need to include additional information, clarification or changes. Make any necessary changes via REMS and return your application.

You can track the progress of your application via REMS.

You will be notified once your application has been approved. Notification of ethics approval will also be sent to other areas if necessary, e.g. Graduate Research Services or Research Services.

All applications are approved with standard Conditions of approval and some projects may also have further specific conditions of approval.

Important: Research or teaching activities involving the use of animals may not commence before written approval is given.

Multicentre research may include a research project:

• conducted at more than one institution, either by the same or different researchers;
• conducted jointly by researchers affiliated with different institutions;
• conducted at one institution by a researcher affiliated with another institution, e.g. a university-based researcher conducting research at a hospital;
• approved at one institution and transferred to another, for example, when a researcher changes institutions; and
• for which more than one institution has responsibility for ethical review and approval.

The process for seeking approval for a multicentre research project will depend on whether the ECU Ethics Committee is the primary review committee.

Note: This is usually only appropriate for staff research projects.

The Ethics Committee is aware that researchers sometimes need to seek approval for a development phase of their research in order to develop or finalise data collection procedures for research projects.

Executive approval for the development phase of the project only can be granted by the Ethics Committee. This approval is usuaslly for 6 months for funded projects and allows a research team to develop or finalise data collection procedures and instruments for research proejcts. It is not usually applicable to student research projects. The review process usually takes about a week.

No research or teaching activities involving the use of animals can occur before full approval has been granted by the Animal Ethics Committee.

If you would like to apply for Development Phase you will be prompted for some project details and after submitting the PRC will receive an autoamted email with a link to an application form.