Three Brisbane secondary students have become the first school-aged young people in Australia to join an international ethics committee at the Children’s Hospital Queensland Health and Research Ethics Committee (CHQ HREC), bringing a youth perspective to discussions that shape health and research involving children and adolescents.
The students, Shae from the Industry School – Brisbane and Lachlan and Kyle from St Laurence’s College, have been appointed as members of the Children’s Hospital Queensland’s HREC, where they will contribute to the review of consumer-facing research materials and provide feedback on how information is communicated to young participants and their families.
The initiative positions Children’s Hospital Queensland as the first paediatric HREC in the country to formally include school-aged young people in its committee’s processes.
While health research involving young people is often designed to improve outcomes for young patients, opportunities senior students to contribute to the decision-making process remain relatively rare. The new advisory role aims to address that gap by ensuring the perspectives of young people are considered during the ethical review process.
For Shae Kirkwood, a Year 12 student at The Industry School – Brisbane, the opportunity is a chance to help make cutting-edge health research more accessible and relevant to young people.
“Young people are often the focus of research, but we don’t always get the opportunity to have a say in how that research is communicated or understood,” Shae said.
“Being part of the committee allows us to share a perspective that researchers and adults might not always consider. It’s rewarding to know our feedback could help make information clearer and more accessible for other young people and their families.”
Shae is currently studying to be an electrician through The Industry School – Brisbane and has successfully attained a school-based electrical apprenticeship with Next Electrical and Air. However, with the HREC appointment providing valuable experience in leadership, healthcare and community engagement through research and strong governance, Shae has not ruled out eventually exploring a career in Health.
The program draws on partnerships between the Children’s Hospital Queensland HREC and participating schools, including The Industry School and St Laurence’s College, creating a pathway for students to engage with complex real-world issues beyond the classroom.
Supported by committee members and mentors from the committee, the students will participate in meetings throughout the year, reflect on committee discussions and continue developing their understanding of research ethics and governance.
Their contributions will be particularly valuable when reviewing information sheets and other materials designed for children and adolescents, helping researchers better understand how these documents are received by their intended audience.
For The Industry School – Brisbane student Shae, the appointment represents a unique opportunity to apply critical thinking and communication skills in a real-world setting while contributing to decisions that affect young people across Queensland.
The Industry School – Brisbane Principal Peter Foster said the “initiative highlights the value of giving young people meaningful opportunities to contribute to decisions that affect their communities.”
“One of the most powerful things we can do as educators is create opportunities for students to engage with the real world and see the impact their ideas and perspectives can have on society,” Mr Foster said.
“This appointment recognises that young people bring valuable insights to important conversations. It’s encouraging to see organisations creating genuine pathways for students to contribute, be heard and develop skills that will serve them well beyond school.”
The inaugural group will remain in the role until the end of the year before handing over to a new cohort of Year 11 students in Term 4, ensuring the initiative continues into 2027.