Training and development opportunities
Completion of training in human research ethics is mandatory for all RSU staff and student researchers named on RSU ethics applications. Evidence of completion of this training must be uploaded when submitting a new application to the Human Research Ethics Committee and when adding a new investigator to an approved protocol.
Investigators who are external to RSU may be required to show evidence of training if it is an application from an external party (not including NSW Health) or if the extent of their involvement is significant. If in doubt, contact the Ethics Unit for clarification.
The training does not have to be provided by RSU but must be demonstrably equivalent in content and have been completed in the last 3 years. The Macquarie University Social Sciences Ethics Training (online module) is accepted.
RSU training options include online modules and workshops. You can choose the option that suits you best, you do not need to do both. The workshop program includes introductory sessions and workshops on specific topics of relevance to human research ethics. Registration for the workshops is open to anyone interested.
- Online training. The Epigeum module Research Ethics is accessible on Moodle, see Ethical Research TRNG020_19. It consists of 8 modules with quizzes, and should take approximately 4 hours to complete.
- Workshops. Introduction to Research Ethics & Integrity: This workshop will cover the basic framework of Research Integrity and how it is supported at RSU. The fundamental principles of the National Statement will be covered with reference to preparing an application for ethics approval. The session also includes training on the RSU online application system, IRMA. At this stage, we are unable to take bookings for the Workshop. If you need to obtain an Ethics Training Certificate in order to submit an Ethics Application, please complete the Online Training Modules detailed above. We apologise for any inconvenience.
- Training on IRMA. Training on IRMA. For video guides, the user guide and information about IRMA support please see the IRMA help page.
Contact rso-ethics@ for more information or to register
Research Integrity training for researchers includes:
Workshops, Seminars and Q&A Sessions
Mythbuster Café: Data Management – 9 June 2020, 12.30-1.30
Good data management is essential for good research. This session will provide an introduction to your obligations under the national research framework, the American Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, and help you plan to make the most of your data. Join the session and learn about putting the Code into practice through secure data storage, safely sharing your data, and setting up your data collection protocols so that you can re-use it. Presented by Dr David Neil.
- The session includes an extended Q&A, with David joined by experienced researchers and managers to answer your questions and give you pointers on how to best manage your data. To register (and send through questions) email research-integrity@
Online Training
This online training module outlines Research Integrity concepts for researchers (staff and students) in stand-alone modules for:
- Biomedical Sciences
- Natural and Physical sciences
- Engineering and Technology
- Social and Behavioural Sciences
- Art and Humanities
The Research Services Office will happily provide staff and students with on‑demand face to face training on Research Integrity, Ethics both Human and Animal and Defence Export Controls.
Contact the Research Integrity Officer on research-integrity@ to discuss your training needs.
External Resources
Watch On Being a Scientist (2016), produced by Leiden University and Crochetta Films and think about the difficult dilemmas you, as a researcher, may be confronted with as you progress through your career and how the decisions you make can impact on you later on in life.
The USA Office of Research Integrity offers interactive online training in research integrity for laboratory and research clinic based researchers.
Work through the Integrity Factor: Interactive Movie on Scientific Integrity to see how the choices you make as you progress through your research will lead you in different directions as you focus on the daily life of Tess, a PhD student in a Western European setting. This is a joint production initiated by the Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen, UMCG, Institute for Medical Education.
Other useful resources
The following publications may be of use to you to further your knowledge on research misconduct issues:
- Misconduct of Others: Prevention Techniques for Researchers, Association for Psychological Science
- Avoiding Plagiarism, Self-plagiarism, and Other Questionable Writing Practices: A Guide to Ethical Writing, St. Johns University
- Plagiarism and Punishment, British Medical Journal 2007
- Complainant Issues in Research Misconduct: The Office of Research Integrity Experience, Experimental Biology and Medicine
If you would like to add to this list a publication that you feel may be of use to researchers please email research-integrity@
Workshops
Register to attend the Research Grant Workshops coordinated by PODS. RSU staff only.
Presentations
Research grants presentations (RSU staff only)
Includes:
- Research grant writing and grant management presentations
- ARC grants presentations
- Presentations from visiting ARC and NHMRC members
Research Data Training
Research data training is available to all researchers though Moodle.
It is recommended that HDR and Honours students as well as new researchers to RSU complete this training so that they are up to date with Research Data at RSU.
Workshops
The Research Services Office Ethics team run workshops on Research Integrity and Ethics that includes research data. Information about these workshops can be found under the Human Ethics section of this page.
Please note: It is recommended that HDR and Honours students complete the Moodle component before attending the workshop so they have a basic understanding of Research Data.
Workshop dates for 2020 will be available soon.
Research impact training is coordinated by PODS.
Presentations
Research impact presentations (RSU staff only)
Research impact presentations for grants (RSU staff only)
Includes:
- Research grant writing and grant management presentations
- ARC grants presentations
- Presentations from visiting ARC and NHMRC members
All people participating in animal based research, including wildlife studies, must complete animal ethics and welfare training. The requirements for training are explained in the Animal Research Training Guidelines.
New researchers: Training for all new researchers involves preliminary online modules on the Moodle platform, in addition to a half-day face-to-face seminar which runs in March and August each year. The online components must be completed prior to undertaking any research activities.
.Refresher and Supervisor training: Refresher training for animal researchers is a mandatory requirement of the code and must be undertaken every three years. An online module is available for supervisors and for researchers that have previously completed Animal Ethics and Welfare training.
To register for Animal Welfare and Ethics training please contact the Animal Welfare Officer, Sarah Toole.
Other required training
- Researchers working with laboratory rodents must undertake facility inductions and practical animal training and competency assessments. Please contact the Animal Facility Technical Co-ordinators to schedule. Researchers require an approved project prior to undertaking any animal handling training.
- Animal researchers utilising the ERC must undertake an ERC facility induction prior to commencing. Please contact Animal Facility Technical Co-ordinators to schedule.
- All wildlife researchers working at the ERC and in the field must also undertake relevant practical training with their research species: this must be organised in collaboration with your supervisor and a declaration of competency submitted to the AEC prior to undertaking unsupervised work.
In addition to animal Ethics training researchers may require training in Research Integrity, Research Grants and Research Data.