Championing culturally safe research for First Peoples
Panel members from launch event (L to R): Ms. Sophie Gatenby — Research Ethics Manager, Royal Children's Hospital, Ms. Kelly Jones — Manager at the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW, A/Prof. Summer May Finlay — Director of Ngarruwan Ngadi, Interim VACCHO HREC Chair, Mr. Paul Stewart — CEO, Lowitja Institute and Prof. Karen Adams — Director, Gukwonderuk Indigenous Health Workforce, Monash University.
The Victorian Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Organisation’s (VACCHO) Aboriginal Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) ensures research is culturally safe, ethical and accountable to community.
This is Victoria's first Aboriginal-led ethics committee in more than 25 years. It will review health and wellbeing research projects involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, ensuring projects:
- are guided by community priorities
- uphold cultural safety
- deliver meaningful benefits for First Peoples.
HREC is a key milestone in our delivery of marra ngarrgoo, marra goorri – the Victorian Aboriginal Health, Medical and Wellbeing Research Accord.
The accord aims to create a research sector that is ethical, culturally safe and beneficial for First Peoples communities.
VACCHO is the peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing in Victoria. It supports more than 65,000 First Peoples across the state. Its combined 34 Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations are the largest employers of First Peoples in Victoria.
View the full list of Aboriginal Human Research Ethics Committee on VACCHO's website.