Human research ethics

Research that is ethical, responsible and impactful

Bond University is committed to conducting research that upholds the highest standards of research integrity, participant welfare, and ethical responsibility. All research involving human participants conducted under the auspices of Bond University must be reviewed in accordance with the principles outlined in the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2025) and the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2018).

All research involving human participants, their data, or their tissue requires ethical consideration and require review and approval before research activities commence. The Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) and delegated review pathways ensure that research is conducted with apprporiate regard for the rights, wellbeing, dignity and privacy of participants.

The ethical review process is guided by the core values of:

Respect – protecting autonomy, ensuring informed consent, and acknowledging the dignity of all participants.
Research merit and integrity – ensuring that all projects are well‑designed, conducted rigorously, and led by qualified investigators.
Justice – ensuring fair recruitment, equitable treatment of participants, and transparent decision‑making.
Beneficence – maximising potential benefits while minimising possible harms.

These values underpin the design, review and conduct of all human research undertaken at Bond University.

Do I need ethics approval?

Ethics review requirements depend on the nature, risk and context of the proposed research. Bond University provides several review pathways, including:

Exemption from ethical review
Recognition of prior approval
Low-risk review
Full Human Research Ethics Committee review
Amendments to approved projects

Researchers should determine the most appropriate pathway before preparing an application. No research activities involving human participants should commence until the appropriate approval or confirmation has been received.

Student and Staff Surveys at Bond University

Researchers seeking to recruit Bond University students or staff for surveys, interviews, focus groups, or other feedback and research activities must obtain approval through the University's Survey Application process. This approval is separate from human research ethics approval and helps coordinate survey activity across the University. Visit the Survey Applications SharePoint site for requirements, guidance, and access to the online application form.

Ethics review pathways

Bond University provides several pathways for ethics review, depending on the project’s level of risk, methodology, and compliance requirements:

Use the links below for guidance on how to:

Submit a new ethics application: For research involving human participants that requires ethics review, including both low-risk and full HREC applications.
Request an ethics exemption: For quality assurance, evaluation, audit and other activities that may meet exemption criteria.
Seek recognition of prior approval: For research already approved by another recognised ethics committee.
Amend an existing approval: For proposed changes to an approved research project.
Respond to a request for clarification: Guidance on responding to reviewer comments and providing additional information requested during ethics review.
Respond to a HREC resubmission request: Guidance on revising your application and resubmitting it following HREC review.

Ethics application process

The ethics review process generally consist of the following stages:

Determine the appropriate review pathway.
Prepare the ethics application and supporting documents.
Submit the application for administrative review and faculty approval.
Ethics review is conducted by delegated reviewers.
Respond to any requests for further information or clarification.
Receive approval or confirmation.
Conduct the research in accordance with the approved protocol.
Submit amendments, progress reports and final reports as required.

After approval

Researchers are responsible for ensuring approved projects continue to comply with ethical requirements throughout the life of the project.

Researchers must:

Conduct research in accordance with approved documents.
Obtain approval before implementing amendments.
Report significant or unexpected issues affecting participant welfare.
Submit progress reports where required.
Report protocol deviations and breaches where applicable
Submit a final report at project completion.
Maintain research records in accordance with University requirements.

Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC)

The Bond University HREC is constituted in accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2025).

The Commitee is responsible for reviewing and monitoring human research to ensure that:

Participants are treated with dignity and respect.
Risks are minimised and appropriately managed.
Benefits and burdens of research are distributed fairly.
Research is conducted with itnegrity and scientific merit.
Ethical standards are maintained throughout the research lifecycle.

The committee includes members representing the categories and expertise required under the National Statement.

MEETING DATES AND SUBMISSION DEADLINES

Information for research participants

If you are considering participating in a research project conducted by Bond University researchers, you have the right to:

Receive clear information about the project.
Ask questions before agreeing to participate.
Freely decide whether to participate.
Withdraw from participation at any time, subject to any limitations explained during consent.
Have your privacy and confidentiality protected.
Raise concerns or making a complaint regarding the conduct of research.

Participation in research should always be voluntary and informed.

Concerns, complaints and feedback

Bond University is committed to ensuring that human research is conducted ethically and responsibly.

Research participants, researchers and members of the public may raise concerns regarding:

The conduct of a research project.
Participant welfare or safety.
Ethical issues associated with approved research.
Potential breaches of approved protocols.
The ethics review process.

All concerns will be considered respectfully, confidentially and in accordance with University policies and procedures.

To raise a concern or submit a complaint, contact:

Research Integrity Office

Email: [email protected]

Policies and regulations

Researchers should ensure their project aligns with the following key policies and regulatory frameworks:

These documents provide guidance for researchers, participants and committee members and support the University's commitment to high standards of ethical research conduct.

Need Help?

The research ethics and integrity office is here to support researchers through the ethics review process.

We can provide guidance on:

ethics review pathways.
submission requirements.
application processes.
amendments and prior approvals.
governance and compliance requirements.

Please note that the ethics office cannot provide advice on research methodology, study design, participant recruitment strategies, data analysis, or how to answer specific questions within an ethics application.

For discipline-specific or methodological advice, researchers/students should consult their supervisor, Associate Dean of Research, or other appropriate academic mentors.

Contact the ethics team at [email protected].