The Human Research Ethics and Governance (HREG) Collaborative Group was established by HTQ in 2016 to collaborate on best practice and streamline research ethics and governance processes. The group brings together research ethics and governance representatives from each of the HTQ partners, along with key specialist advisors from partner and non-partner organisations.

Key achievements

Developed HTQ Research Passport Agreement. This has been highly successful and was used as the basis for the new national multi-jurisdictional multi-party non-clinical trial Collaborative Research Agreement launched by the Commonwealth Government.
Developed HTQ Third Party Agreement.
Developed an Annual progress report template for ethics.
Curated ethics and governance process resources for researchers.
Delivered National Human Research Ethics Committee Conference 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.
Established and facilitated a network for research integrity across the partnership to share best practice.
Launched two new decision support tools to assist researchers to navigate processes for cross-organisational Human Research Ethics Applications (HREA) and Site Specific Assessments (SSA).
Surveyed 170 ethics and governance staff and researchers on ethics and governance training needs which will inform future training programs.
Delivered a Summer Seminar Series in 2023 on Intellectual Property.
Developed a suite of tools for using the HTQ Research Passport Agreement, including an exemplar.
Created a searchable summary of Australian HREC submission and meeting dates.
Delivered an Autumn Seminar Series in 2024 on Data.
Facilitated a state-wide consultation to strengthen HRECs expertise and capacity across Queensland.

Current activity

HTQ’s HREG Collaborative Group informs on HTQ’s HREG work program. This includes:

scoping a project to create a database of specialist experts for HRECs to utilise when they do not have the expertise in their committee composition
consider a process whereby HREC members can be shared or join (on an ad hoc basis) another HREC
develop, manage and update HTQ's Research Passport Agreement
develop template clauses and contract guidance resource to support researchers
provide and coordinate education and training in the area of research ethics and governance
deliver the annual National Human Research Ethics Committee Conference.

Collaborative Group members

Sara Hubbard, Torres and Cape, QH (Chair)
Melissa Hagan, Queensland Health
Anitha Dinish, Children’s Health Queensland
Amanda James, Children's Health Queensland
Rebekah Steele, Metro South Health
Angela Tapuni, Metro North Health
Minna Grahendy, West Moreton Health
Mamta Tanwar, West Moreton Health
Carine Rubins, West Moreton Health
Jenny Fraser, Gold Coast Health
Jacob Darch, Gold Coast Health
Deb Wainwright, Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service
Mandy Hubbard, Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service
Imelda Ryan, Mater
Danielle Wade, Mater
Roberta Littleford, The University of Queensland
Trish Murray, The University of Queensland
Sabine Sand, The University of Queensland
Rachel Quin, Queensland University of Technology
Sarah van Eyk, Queensland University of Technology
Monica Naughtin, Griffith University
Kim Maddison, Griffith University
Matthew Savva, Griffith University
Sashika Naidoo, QIMR Berghofer
Gordon McGurk
Rob McDowall, Australian e-Health Research Centre, CSIRO
Sherman Leung, Wesley Medical Research
Sara Gottliebsen, Health Translation Queensland
Helen Breathnach, Health Translation Queensland

Further information

If you would like to join the Human Research Ethics and Governance Collaborative Group or would like more information, please contact:

Health Translation Queensland Research Governance Manager
Email: research@healthtranslationqld.org.au

Human Research Ethics and Governance Collaborative Group

Key achievements

Current activity

Collaborative Group members

Further information

Relevant pages