Review of human ethics clearance procedures

[Jane Simpson]

I'd like to alert all linguists working with speakers to a review of
ethics clearance procedures.  Much of our work is subject to ethics
clearance requirements - from fieldwork in the Solomons to anonymous
questionnaires handed out by students to their friends. This requirement
is based on the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research
Involving Humans (1999). There is a review of this statement underway by
the Australian Health Ethics Committee (AHEC)
http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/issues/natstrev.htm

If your research, or that of your students, has been compromised by the
interpretations of this statement by University Ethics Committees,  NOW
is your chance. You can make a submission to AHEC, suggesting ways
of improving the procedure.  Some social scientists including Robert
Cribb and Mary Edmunds have drafted a submission which is available at:
http://www.paradisec.org.au/Ethicsreviewsubmission.pdf

You can send your own submission to: AHEC.nhmrc at nhmrc.gov.au
or to:
Health Ethics Section
NHMRC (MDP 100)
GPO Box 9848
CANBERRA ACT 2601

Or you can e-mail Robert Cribb <robert.cribb at anu.edu.au>
adding your support for their submission.  He will need your name,
discipline and affiliation for adding your name to the list of
signatories.

Please do so soon, because AHEC would like to have a draft ready to
circulate by Christmas.