Research standards

Solutions to real-world problems affecting our communities are a focus of research at Curtin. Contributions from the community to this type of research are invaluable and help solve complex questions from medical conditions to urban planning and design, to understanding how customers purchase products.

Community participation in research is precious, and Curtin is dedicated to keeping people involved in research safe, and their confidentiality and privacy maintained. The National Statement on the Ethical Conduct of Human Research guides researchers on the principles of researching humans, and it is mandatory at Curtin that all research involving humans complies with this standard.

All research at Curtin involving humans undergoes a process of review for ethics and scientific standard. Curtin has a Human Research Ethics Committee, registered through the National Health and Medical Research Council. The committee is made up of academics from Curtin as well as laypeople from the community to enable a rigorous and objective review of applications to ensure the safety of participants.

Ethics approval

For human ethics applications and approval forms, please log into InfoEd.

HREC constitution

HREC constitution [.pdf 40kB]

Animals play an invaluable role in understanding and treating human diseases. Curtin University is committed to ensuring ethical, humane and responsible care and use of animals used for scientific purposes through compliance with the Animal Welfare Act (WA) and the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes.

All research involving animals at Curtin, including observations of animal behaviour in their natural habitat, requires approval from the Curtin Animal Ethics Committee. Membership of the committee is such that it is free from bias, consisting of academics as well as members of the community who are animal advocates committed to the welfare of animals.

Projects are rigorously reviewed before approval and must meet the “three Rs”:

The replacement of animals with other methods. Curtin only endorses the use of animals in research when it is absolutely necessary and no other methods can achieve the research outcome.

The reduction in the number of animals used by good experimental design and use of statistics. Curtin will only approve the minimum number of animals required to achieve the research outcome.

The refinement of techniques used to minimise adverse impact. Curtin will only approve methods that minimise cruelty and suffering to animals.

Animals are monitored routinely while in the care of Curtin University and an experienced veterinarian is onsite to monitor the welfare of animals.

In teaching, Curtin encourages the use of technology to teach students about physiology and biology. In rare cases where animals are used for teaching, these activities are reviewed, approved and monitored by the Animal Ethics Committee.

Curtin recognises, through a conscientious objector procedure, that some students and staff may have a conscientious belief in relation to a particular form of animal use that is in conflict with teaching, assessment practices and/or fieldwork education.

Curtin is committed to ensuring the safety of people and the environment when conducting research. All research at Curtin is conducted in accordance with
legislative requirements, and at a standard that ensures the safety of staff, students, the wider community and the surrounding environment. All staff and students are required to identify potential hazards associated with their work, work within documented safety protocols and obtain approvals from Curtin and government regulatory bodies.

There are four constituted committees at Curtin that review projects before they begin for their compliance with regulations and their potential impact on the community and environment. These committees are the Chemical Safety Committee, Radiation Safety Committee, Institutional Biosafety Committee and the Hazardous Materials Governance Committee.

Biosafety Advisor
Phone: +61 8 9266 1383
Email: ROCHazardousMaterial@curtin.edu.au

Radiation Safety Advisor
Phone: +61 8 9266 1708
Email: ROCHazardousMaterial@curtin.edu.au