Blog icon

About CSIRO's human research

CSIRO's human research can be grouped into two main categories:

  1. Social and interdisciplinary research – this research typically involves engagement with individuals and communities, both within Australia and overseas, to explore the connections between natural, agricultural, industrial and urban ecosystems and social and economic processes. It also includes research to understand stakeholder perspectives on climate change, future scenarios regarding emerging energy technologies, and studying human and technology interactions for the purpose of developing new information technology tools and communication platforms.
  2. Health and medical research – this research includes clinical intervention trials examining the effectiveness of diet and lifestyle programs, the health and nutritional benefits of food components and consumer food choice, piloting of innovative electronic applications within hospitals and residential settings, and DNA analysis to predict disease risk profiles within the population.

Compliance with national standards

All human research undertaken by CSIRO must comply with the values, principles, governance and review processes specified in the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (updated 2018) and any relevant state and national legislative requirements such as the Privacy Act (1988). This includes ensuring that any research we do is justified by its potential benefit and is conducted by qualified staff using appropriate methods and resources.

It also commits the organisation and its staff to showing due regard for the privacy, welfare, beliefs, customs and cultural heritage of those involved in our research and their capacity to make their own decisions.

Further information

Further information about human research ethics in CSIRO and what you can expect as a participant in a CSIRO research project can be found in the Human Research Ethics in CSIRO brochure.

Widget Here | /sitecore/content/CSIRO/Website/About/Policies-guidelines/Integrity-of-science/Ethical-human-research/main/social-and-interdisciplinary

About CSIRO's human research

CSIRO's human research can be grouped into two main categories:

  1. Social and interdisciplinary research – this research typically involves engagement with individuals and communities, both within Australia and overseas, to explore the connections between natural, agricultural, industrial and urban ecosystems and social and economic processes. It also includes research to understand stakeholder perspectives on climate change, future scenarios regarding emerging energy technologies, and studying human and technology interactions for the purpose of developing new information technology tools and communication platforms.
  2. Health and medical research – this research includes clinical intervention trials examining the effectiveness of diet and lifestyle programs, the health and nutritional benefits of food components and consumer food choice, piloting of innovative electronic applications within hospitals and residential settings, and DNA analysis to predict disease risk profiles within the population.

Compliance with national standards

All human research undertaken by CSIRO must comply with the values, principles, governance and review processes specified in the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (updated 2018) and any relevant state and national legislative requirements such as the Privacy Act (1988). This includes ensuring that any research we do is justified by its potential benefit and is conducted by qualified staff using appropriate methods and resources.

It also commits the organisation and its staff to showing due regard for the privacy, welfare, beliefs, customs and cultural heritage of those involved in our research and their capacity to make their own decisions.

Further information

Further information about human research ethics in CSIRO and what you can expect as a participant in a CSIRO research project can be found in the Human Research Ethics in CSIRO brochure PDF (207 KB).

Ms Cathy Pitkin

Executive Manager, Social Responsibility and Ethics (Science and Government)

Contact us

Find out how we can help you and your business. Get in touch using the form below and our experts will get in contact soon!

CSIRO will handle your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and our Privacy Policy.


This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

First name must be filled in

Surname must be filled in

I am representing *

Please choose an option

Please provide a subject for the enquriy

0 / 100

We'll need to know what you want to contact us about so we can give you an answer

0 / 1900

You shouldn't be able to see this field. Please try again and leave the field blank.