ACON has established its Research Ethics Review Committee and processes in recognition that research can inform the delivery of effective health promotion and services as well as more general benefits for our communities. ACON seeks to encourage researchers to participate in a process of peer review regarding ethical issues and to promote ethical conduct in human research in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community. This process helps to improve the quality of GLBT-related research, which in turn makes it more useful for health providers such as ACON.

In reviewing applications that come before it, ACON's Ethics Committee will have regard for research merit and integrity, justice, and beneficence, that the research contributes to societal or community goals, and demonstrates a respect for cultural diversity. Further, ACON's Ethics Committee will also seek to take account of the risks of harm and the potential benefits of research to GLBT participants and to the wider GLBT community; in being sensitive to the welfare and interests of people involved in the research; and in reflecting on the implications of the work.

Who should seek ACON ethics approval?

• Projects that seek to use ACON/SWOP staff and other material resources.
• Projects that specifically target GLBT populations, either as their sole sample group or as an identified sub-sample.
• Projects that specifically target people with HIV or those who provide their care and support.
• Projects that specifically target people who work in the sex industry.
• Projects that concern issues relating to HIV/AIDS, GLBT or sex worker health.

ACON's Ethics Committee is comprised of health professionals and community-based people, together with medical and legal members who have expertise and experience in GLBT, HIV and sex worker health and research. This gives the Committee a unique capacity to assess the extent of the support of these communities for research; the capacity of researchers to work ethically with these communities; and the validity, risks and benefits of the research.

Most research projects for which ACON's Ethics Committee receives applications are also submitted to at least one other Human Research Ethics Committee (eg. a University HREC, or a NSW Department of Health Area Health Service HREC). Even with ethics approval from another institution, in order for ACON to support research, ACON Ethics Committee approval is required due to the particular considerations that exist for GLBT communities, people with HIV and sex workers - much in the same way as the Aboriginal Medical Health and Research Council Ethics Committee exists to protect the interests of indigenous people. The committee will consider applications that have not received ethics approval elsewhere, provided the research clearly satisfies the committee's major criteria.

One of the committee's major criteria in assessing an application it ensure that there has been consultation with the GLBT, HIV positive or sex worker community in designing the research project. Also, it is a requirement of approval that researchers make a commitment to feedback the results of the research to the affected communities.

ACON's Research Ethics Review Committee meeting and its cut-off date for 2011

ACON's Ethics Committee meets on the third Wednesday of every month. Completed applications including any supplementary documents should be submitted to research@acon.org.au by the cut-off date outlined below in order to be considered at the meeting of the subsequent month.

Committee meeting date	Submission Cut-Off date
21 December 2011	7 December 2011
15 February 2012	1 February 2012
21 March 2012	7 March 2012
18 April 2012	4 April 2012
16 May 2012	2 May 2012
20 June 2012	6 June 2012
18 July 2012	4 July 2012
15 August 2012	1 August 2012
19 September 2012	5 September 2012
17 October 2012	3 October 2012
21 November 2012	7 November 2012
19 December 2012	5 December 2012

Find out more

Download: ACON’s Ethics Committee application form

More info

Contact: ACON Research

Tel: (02) 9206 2009
Free Call: 1800 063 060
Hearing Impaired: (02) 9283 2088

Email: research@acon.org.au