Details of the Award are available on the ALIA Awards site
You may also be interested in the HLA Telstra Digital Health Innovation Award (value up to $3k) which also closes 31 Jul 2026
View the latest articles published in JoHILA (Vol 6(1) 2026) – Journal of Health Information and Libraries Australasia
Have a half thought about publishing something of interest / you or your library has done / reflections?
Just send an email to Daniel – he will guide you through the straightforward process
A free, online, community event for research support professionals
Visit the event page for more information (including Program)
While waiting, you can view recordings from the 2025 event or other health library videos on the HLA Videos page
Human participant research sits at the uncomfortable intersection of good intentions, regulation, and paperwork — and it applies to far more projects than most people realise. This session provides a practical, big picture overview of what counts as human participant research, and why interventional research is only a subset of that, why “clinical trial” is not synonymous with “medical experiment,” and how projects move from idea to ethics and governance approval to actual participants. Framed specifically for health library professionals, Sarah will explore where library services can add real value across the research lifecycle, from shaping research questions and evidence bases through to protocols, data management, consent, and publication — and why working closely with local research offices makes all of this easier for everyone involved.
Sarah Rathjen – Eastern Health Library
In her previous life, Sarah worked in a wide variety of roles in the Health and Medical research field over 15 years, with the majority of her experience in Ethics and Governance (both as a submitter and an approver), before a recent career change to librarianship!
Currently she works as the Clinical Research and Education Librarian at Eastern Health.
She has a passion for both human participant research, for exploring innovative ways to deliver education and training, and for getting the right information to the right people at the right time – which is why she’s presenting here!
She loves dogs 🐶, but does not have one yet, so encourages you to tell her about your pets.
CA1 – The health environment
CA7 – Health research
View HLA Competencies
This session contributes 1.0 hours towards CPD
View the HLA Health Professional Development Scheme
Wednesday, 17 June 2026
1-2pm (Vic/NSW/TAS/ACT/QLD);
12:30-1:30pm (SA/NT);
11am-12pm (WA);
3-4pm (NZ)
Online webinar Zoom – a link will be sent the day prior.
This event will be recorded and sent to attendees following the event.
ALIA Members – Free (one of 14 benefits of membership)
Non-Members – $30
This session explores the diverse and evolving roles health librarians play in Human Research Ethics Committees (HRECs) from formal committee positions to advisory, governance, and quality‑improvement functions.
Speakers will share real‑world perspectives on how librarian expertise strengthens ethical research practice and supports researchers across health and academic settings.
⏲️ When: Thursday August 13th – 1-2pm (VIC/NSW/TAS/ACT/QLD); 12:30-1:30pm (SA/NT); 11am-12pm (WA); 3-4pm (NZ)
🗺️ Where: On Zoom – link sent day prior
💸 Cost: ALIA members – Free; Non-members $30 (another reason to consider HLA Membership)
⌨️ Register: ALIA HLA: Librarians and HRECs: Where Our Expertise Makes a Difference
🦉 Who:
Daniel McDonald – Librarian, Darling Downs Health, Editor, JoHILA.
Kathryn Ritchie – Health Sciences Librarian, Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service. Secretary (Interim) CQHHS HREC.
Nikki May – Manager Library Projects and Planning, SA Health Library, Co-Convenor AEBPLI.
Joanna (Asia) Dziedzic – Research Data Librarian, Charles Darwin University.
Daniel McDonald has been librarian for Darling Downs Health since 2006. He has twice received the HLA digital innovation award, and in 2021 was named Queensland Library Achiever of the year. He is editor of the Journal of Health Information and Libraries Australasia, and host of the podcast Shoosh. He is currently acting chair of the Darling Downs Health Human Research Ethics Committee.
Last Friday he conceded four goals 😄 at Friday night football ⚽, but did get his hands to three of them. He yells at his kids too much, but also gives them chocolate milk 🍫. The two may be linked.
Kathryn Ritchie is a Health Librarian at Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service (CQHHS) in Rockhampton, committee member of the Australasian Evidence Based Practice Librarians’ Institute (AEBPLI), UQ Research Fellow, and CQ HREC Secretariat/Co-ordinator. Kathryn blends her clinical insight and research expertise to empower healthcare professionals. Kathryn is dedicated to advancing evidence-based practice, supporting clinicians in discovering and applying the best available evidence through the design and execution of systematic type search strategies, and guidance in the development of quality and research projects.
Nikki May is a Library Manager with the SA Health Library Service (SAHLS). She is responsible for the Research, Reference, Training, and Outreach library portfolios. As a part of the SAHLS management team Nikki’s role is currently focused primarily on strategic planning and service improvement projects. Nikki is also co-convenor of the Australasian Evidence-Based Practice Librarians’ Institute.
Joanna (bio to come).
🏄 ALIA Competencies:
CA6 – The health environment, communities and stakeholders
CA7 – Health research
🐛 Health Professional Development Scheme (HPDS)
This session contributes 1.0 hours towards CPD.
View details on the HPDS
🎞️ Recordings
This event will be recorded and sent to attendees following the session.