To raise a complaint regarding the conduct of research relating to a particular project, the following procedures are in place:
Please contact the Executive Officer, who may seek to resolve the problem or forward it to the Manager of the Research Ethics and Compliance unit for resolution.
Where the complaint cannot be handled by the Executive Officer or Manager of the Research Ethics and Compliance unit, the complaint is directed to the Chair or Associate Chairs of MUHREC who will act on behalf of the Committee to fully investigate the complaint. This may involve seeking advice from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), relevant Deans or Associate Deans, University Privacy Officer, University Solicitor, or the MUHREC Management Committee. The investigation will, at all times, be conducted sensitively, and within the requirements of relevant privacy legislation.
The outcome of the investigation will then be communicated to the complainant on behalf of the Committee.
If the difficulty is not able to be resolved, a written request for resolution of the matter may be made to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) by either the complainant or the person with whom the matter has been discussed.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) may then attempt to resolve the complaint through further negotiation or mediation, or may advise the complainant in writing that the complaint is considered to be lacking in substance, or frivolous and/or vexatious, and that no enquiry is to be made.
A complaint case would be considered closed upon receipt by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) of a written withdrawal of the complaint by the complainant, or when he/she determines that there is nothing further that can be done in order to settle the complaint.
Decisions of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) may be appealed by the complainant in writing to the Vice-Chancellor. An appeal must be made within 28 days of receipt of the decision of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor. An appeal must be in writing and include the grounds for the appeal. It will not be sufficient for a researcher or complainant to ask for a re-consideration of the original complaint. The complainant or researcher must provide some reasons why he/she considers the decision to be incorrect or unfair.
The decision of the Vice-Chancellor is considered to be final.
