Ethics and integrity
UWA undertakes trusted and trustworthy research involving people, animals and biological materials. UWA operates a Human Research Ethics Committee, Animal Research Committee and Biosafety Committee to ensure procedural and policy compliance with legislation and regulations.
Research integrity
UWA is a member of the Committee on Publication Ethics
Australian code of conduct
The University and its staff and students are bound by the?Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research. The Code has broad relevance across all research disciplines, guiding institutions and researchers in responsible research practices. Staff in supervisory positions have a responsibility to ensure that staff and students engaged on research projects have the appropriate skills, experience, training, advice and support to conduct quality research, safely and responsibly.
Addressing concerns
We take seriously all concerns, including those that are made anonymously. We ask that all reports of concerns be made in good faith, confidentially and without malice. Complainants will, as far as practicable, be kept updated about the process of investigating and responding to their concerns.
We accept concerns or complaints from various sources. This includes:
- Members of the public
- Funding bodies
- University staff or students.
We receive concerns or complaints in various forms.?
You can email [email?protected] or use our public complaint portal on our webpage.
Research ethics
At UWA, we are dedicated to supporting ethical and responsible research. Our focus on integrity guides our work and partnerships, ensuring that all research is conducted with respect and professionalism. We offer robust review systems and comprehensive training programs to help researchers manage their projects ethically and effectively.
Animal research
UWA acknowledges that it works with animals in research and teaching. The University is committed to being open about species of animals, the procedures involved, and the outcomes of the research.
Best practice care is undertaken by UWA for animals used in research and teaching. To ensure UWA's excellence in governance for animal-based work, the University is regulated by its Animal Use License and its Animal Ethics Committees and supported by its accreditation with the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC). UWA's Animal Use License requires quadrennial independent external audits of compliance. Please contact [email?protected] if you would like a summary of the last Independent External Review.
Requirements
The use of animals for scientific purposes at 心糖vlog免費版在線觀看免費 (UWA) by staff or students must comply with the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act 2002 (WA) (The Act) and the latest edition of the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (The Code). The Act requires UWA to apply for a licence from the Government of Western Australia and to provide an assurance that all personnel working with animals are appropriately qualified and aware of their responsibilities under The Act.
UWA achieves this assurance by requiring all personnel to hold a 'Permission to Work with Animals' (PWA), renewable every five years. This enables UWA to provide evidence to the Government of Western Australia that all personnel have appropriate skills and knowledge to work with animals.
If you are a UWA staff member or student, more information can be found on the UWA Service Directory. If you are external to UWA and need to apply for a PWA, please contact?[email?protected].
FAQs on animal research
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What is the ANZCCART Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching in Australia?
UWA is proud to be a signatory to the Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching in Australia.
The Openness Agreement is a voluntary pledge signed by organisations wishing to demonstrate their commitment to openness in the use of animals for research or teaching. By becoming a signatory, UWA affirms its dedication to fostering public trust, engaging with stakeholders, and promoting responsible animal use practices within our institution and the broader research community. UWA is open about its research involving animals. We conduct these activities to best-practice standards, with scientific integrity and with respect and care for the animals involved. There are rigorous institutional reviews and approvals in place, with alternatives to animal use always considered first where possible.
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Why does UWA use animals for research and teaching?
UWA uses animals in research and teaching where alternatives are not available. It Is important to note that such research contributes to scientific developments and training across a range of applications, including in biomedical, biological, agricultural, environmental and marine science contexts, improving outcomes for humans, wildlife and the environment.
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Which animals are used for research and teaching at UWA?
UWA undertakes a wide range of research and teaching projects which involve animals including rodents, pigs, sheep, fish and crustaceans. These animals are sourced from reputable suppliers or from high-quality in-house breeding programs.
We also undertake wildlife research that may involve observation of different animals in their natural habitats.
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What processes are there to ensure that animal welfare is at the forefront of animal research and teaching at UWA?
Research and teaching with animals at UWA is conducted in accordance with the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes 8th Edition (2013) (hereafter referred to as THE CODE). THE CODE is published by the National Health and Medical Research Council. UWA research and teaching with animals is also conducted in accordance with UWA's Licence to Use Animals for Scientific Purposes and the Licence to Supply Animals for Scientific Purposes. Both licences are issued by the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
THE CODE requires that institutions constitute an Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) to ensure that the use of animals conforms to the standards of THE CODE. The AEC requires that animals use is rigorously justified and conforms to the '3R's' principles of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement, and provides continuous oversight of the welfare of those animals.
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Will UWA ban the use of certain research techniques in animal research such as the forced swim test?
All animal use at UWA must be first thoroughly justified where the scientific gains decidedly outweigh any impost on the animals involved.
The forced swim test is not being used in any current projects at UWA. UWA follows the recommendations of the NHMRC, which stated in December of 2023 that they consider:
"The potential adverse impacts of the forced swim test on animal wellbeing to be significant. When the scientific validity of this procedure for the proposed research is not supported by robust evidence, the use of the forced swim test in rodents cannot be justified in accordance with the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes and must not proceed."
The full statement from the NHMRC is available here.
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How is the harm to the animals minimised?
Research techniques at UWA are reviewed and are consistent with NHMRC standards and expectations.
Researchers work closely with UWA's Animal Welfare Officers and Animal Care Services technical staff in caring for the animals involved in research and teaching. The welfare of each animal during their time on the project, including elements of enrichment that enhance wellbeing, and the minimisation of distress or pain, are paramount, regardless of the species involved. Every animal counts, and this is a constant consideration in the process of research and teaching design, ethics approval and animal welfare monitoring at UWA.
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How are the animals cared for?
Well-trained and specialised animal technicians care for animals at UWA.? The dedication and commitment of the animal care staff ensures that the animals receive the highest standard of care and wellbeing.
The essential needs of each species are carefully managed to the highest level, including food, water, bedding, housing type and environmental conditions. Care is also taken to ensure that there is appropriate environmental enrichment for each species. This may include nesting material, shelters, toys for the larger species, food treats and human interaction for the social species.
To ensure best possible health, comprehensive health management programs are in place with veterinarians overseeing these programs.
Animal Care Services has a policy of openness as evidenced by the recent reaccreditation with AAALAC International.
The Terms of Reference of UWA's Animal Ethics Committees are available here.
Working with Humans
Human research encompasses any academic study involving people, human tissue, or information about individuals. This includes:
- Surveys, interviews, and focus groups
- Medical, physiological, or psychological testing, including clinical trials
- Use of personal materials, such as documents
- Use of human organs, tissue, or fluids
- Information from databases, including linked data sets or private practice patient files
- Observing people for research purposes
Adherence to National Standards
Our University, like other research institutions in Australia, follows the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research to ensure ethical standards are maintained.
Ethical Approval Process
All human research conducted at our University must receive approval from an ethics committee before involving participants. This review is typically carried out by the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC), which convenes monthly.
For more information, see the UWA Service directory entry on Human Ethics, or contact [email?protected].
Indigenous Partnerships
Conducting University research on Indigenous land, with Indigenous peoples or their cultural elements has additional integrity and ethical considerations. Research involving Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples or communities must demonstrate knowledge of and compliance with the six core values detailed in?AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research?as well as all relevant legal and ethical codes, including 'First' or Indigenous Law/ Lore.
For more information, see the UWA Service directory entry on Indigenous Partnerships, or contact [email?protected].
Biosafety, Biosecurity, and Gene Technology
The Biosafety Office co-ordinates University compliance with the requirements of the?Office of the Gene Technology Regulator?(OGTR)?and the?Department of Agriculture, Fisheries?and the Forestry?(DAFF). Biosafety also provides advice on?the safe use, handling and containment of hazardous infectious agents and biological materials that are reasonably expected to contain?biohazards?according to the relevant Australian?Standards.?
For advice and information, contact [email?protected] or see the UWA Service Directory entry on Biosafety.
Clinical Trials
心糖vlog免費版在線觀看免費 engages in clinical trials of new medicines, medical devices and other health interventions in several capacities:?
- as sponsor
- providing chief investigator and co-investigators
- ethics review
- site administration
- as a collaborator on single and multi-site trials with hospitals and other research institutes
Clinical trial activities are regulated primarily by the Commonwealth's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
Request that UWA act as sponsor for a clinical trial
All clinical trials conducted in Australia are required to have an Australian sponsor. The sponsor is responsible for the overseeing aspects of the trial, including lodgement of the Clinical Trials Notification (CTN) form with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) (if applicable), arranging trial specific insurance, and performing monitoring activities to ensure the ongoing overall quality of the trial.?
UWA is prepared to act as a clinical trial sponsor for trials, usually those assessed as low-risk and conducted in or near Perth. The University usually cannot take Sponsor responsibilities for higher-risk intervention studies, or multi-site trials where some trial sites are outside of the greater Perth area. In such cases your project will need to identify a professional clinical trials contract research organisation (CRO) to act as sponsor.
An application can be made for UWA to act as a sponsor.?
What do I need?
The Chief Investigator must be a UWA staff or adjunct.
The UWA research grants and contracts team?will need to administer funding for the trial.
For more information, contact [email?protected] or go to the UWA Service Directory page for Clinical Trials information.