Date and time: Thursday 16 April, 1.00pm-2.00pm AEST
Topic: Ethical Review for Evaluators
Presenter(s): Gerard Atkinson | Iris Ethics
Venue: Via Zoom. Details will be emailed to registrants just prior to the start time.
Register online by: 15 April 2026

Event description:

Human research ethics committees (HRECs) exist to provide independent reviews and advice at the design phase to ensure that evaluations and research projects protect stakeholders, maximise likely benefits, and minimise potential risks. Good ethical review goes beyond just complying with Commonwealth and state/territory guidelines, it boosts the quality and credibility of evaluations, meets community expectations, and strengthens stakeholder engagement. However, up until recently, ethical review of evaluation projects required engaging with a system originally designed for clinical trials. This led to review processes that were incompatible with the methods, timeframes, and contexts that evaluators face. It also created some persistent myths around the role that ethical review plays in evaluation.

This presentation looks at the history of ethical review in Australia, the range and types of HRECs that evaluators can access, and the different review pathways available to evaluators. It also aims to bust the myths and fears around ethical review, show how it can add value to projects, and highlight how the system is evolving to meet the needs of practitioners outside of the health research space.

About the AES Ethics in Evaluation SIG:

The Ethics in Evaluation Special Interest Group (SIG) offers a collegial space for evaluators to connect, reflect and learn together about the ethical dimensions of our practice. The SIG is not intended to provide case by case advice or resolve individual ethical dilemmas, but to rather function as a community for shared learning, broader ethical inquiry, and strengthening our collective understanding of what ethical evaluation looks like in an evolving context.

Any AES member with an interest in evaluation ethics is warmly welcome. Whether you’re an experienced evaluator, new to the profession, a commissioner, a researcher, or simply curious, you are invited to join our community. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

Presenter details:

Gerard Atkinson is Managing Director and founder of Iris Ethics, an HREC specialising in evaluation and social research projects. He took on this role after a long career in evaluation including at ARTD Consultants where alongside leading large-scale and complex evaluations he led internal training on ethics and HREC processes. Gerard is a current member of the Australian Evaluation Society, a Qualified Professional Researcher of The Research Society, and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is also a board member of the Social Impact Measurement Network Australia (SIMNA), and co-chair of the Australasian Autism Research Council.

The session will be co-facilitated by SIG co-chairs, Su-Ann Drew and Emma Williams.

This seminar will be recorded and available on the member portal only.

This free event has been organised by the AES Ethics in Evaluation SIG. Our seminar series provides an opportunity for you to meet with AES members and others in the evaluation community and to share and learn from the experiences of fellow evaluators. 

Session start times:

• VIC, NSW, QLD, ACT, TAS: 1.00pm

• SA, NT: 12.30pm

• WA: 11.00am

• New Zealand: 3.00pm

For other time zones please go to https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html

Please ensure you have access to your email address just prior to the start time to access Zoom details. Please also check your email address is correct on your registration form before submitting. Thanks.