This is an update on our progress and an invitation to join the association. It is being sent to those who originally expressed an interest in the association and also, with the support of the Department, to those who belonged to the NSW Department of Health listserve.
The Australasian Human Research Ethics Association Inc. (the association) is an incorporated non-profit association dedicated to the advancement of research ethics and research ethics review. Emerging from discussions in late 2004 and a key meeting in May 2005, the association is presently constituted by a reference group, pending the recruitment of members.
The association intends to establish a specified website with high quality communication and resources functions, engage administrative assistance to recruit members, establish a membership database and initiate communications networks.
Late in 2004, at the International Congress of Bioethics in Sydney and at later meetings, conversations among people with a common interest in the work of human research ethics committees began to centre on the idea of forming an association to facilitate communication between and among members of these committees and others with active interests or involvement in research ethics and research ethics review.
At the NHMRC Research Ethics Conference in May 2005, a reference group advertised a short informal introductory meeting to assess interest in the idea of such an association. More than 100 people attended and indicated their support, most leaving their email addresses with the reference group in order that they could be kept in touch with progress. One view that appeared to be shared was that an association would need to add value to attract support.
The reference group, whose names are listed below, proceeded to reserve a name, draft a constitution, incorporate the association and open a bank account.
The long-term vision is an independent, self-funding association of members with engagement in research ethics, especially those for whom there is no alternative association that can inform their engagement. The association will sustain itself by communication, both virtual, using dedicated, well designed communication technology, and actual, in meetings, conferences and training activities. Using these methods, the association will seek to recruit those who practice research ethics, whether as researchers or members of research ethics committees, and those who engage as research participants. One important aim is to overcome the present isolation in which much work of human research ethics committees is conducted. Through these activities and others, the association will generate a shared understanding of, and contribute to national policy about, the principles and practices of research ethics, acceptable standards in the design, review and conduct of ethical research, and the needs of researchers, participants, ethics committee members and institutions responsible for the conduct of research and ethics review. In many of these areas, it is believed that AHREA will share common objectives with the NHMRC.
The potential for membership is significant. There are at present more than 225 human research ethics committees in Australia, each with at least 7 members. There are at least as many institutions, researchers and participants involved in human research. In 2003, more than 600 attended the first NHMRC research ethics conference and more than 400 attended the second conference in 2005. The name “Australasian” has been chosen with a view to sharing membership and involvement with those interested in New Zealand and the South Pacific region. There are similar associations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and South Korea.
The reference group elected an interim Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer as required by its constitution, pending recruitment of members and a formal election of office holders, and is now ready to embark on further stages of development.
The reference group had taken the view that, before it sought membership and subscriptions, it needed to offer value and, consequently, had taken several key steps in order to accomplish this. One was to inform the Australian Health Ethics Committee of the association’s establishment and explore future synergies with AHEC. As a result of this, an invitation was received to provide a submission for seed funding.
This proved unsuccessful, the association being advised that the proposal did not meet all of the relevant criteria for NHMRC support of the type requested.
Though disappointed, the reference group, reflecting the high priority that had been given to providing opportunities for effective communication among those whom AHREA seeks to attract as members, procured a detailed specification for a website with good communication functions and access to resources. The association obtained a very favourable quotation for the establishment of this website and has proceeded to implement that tender and register a domain name, using its own resources.
The reference group has adopted acting AHREA officer roles and agreed to go forward with:
The reference group has been advised that the NSW Department of Health listserve is folding. Through the NHMRC, AHREA suggested that the members of the listserve be informed about the development of AHREA and be invited to join the association for the benefits of the communication that the website will shortly provide and that will replace the listserve. NSW Department of Health agreed to circulate this information and invitation to the listserve members.
The AHREA reference group has not yet determined a membership fee structure, but recognizes the need for some variation. In the interim, they suggest to listserve members that they visit the website at www.ahrea.org.au and, if interested, complete the membership application* form.
[*the membership form is a standard web-based form. Applications must be accepted by existing members. In this interim stage, the reference group members will accept applications that contain information about an applicant’s involvement in research ethics.]
[NB: The current members of the reference group thank unlisted members of the group who are no longer actively participating, but who have contributed greatly to the efforts of the group to date.]