Volunteer, and make a difference
Griffith is one of É«ÇéÍøÕ¾'s leading research universities. Our staff and students undertake research projects to better understand the world, improve people's lives and make a societal impact.
Each month, we publish a list of research projects or surveys and ask our staff, student and alumni community to participate.
Griffith is committed to the conduct of ethical research. We conduct research in accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2023). The research ethics and integrity service is managed by the Office for Research in conjunction with the Human Research Ethics Committee.
If you have any questions or concerns about the ethical issues of a project listed here, contact the Griffith University Research Ethics Integrity and Governance team at research-ethics@griffith.edu.au. There is more information available on the Research Ethics, Integrity and Compliance website.
If you want to invite Griffith staff, students. alumni or HDR students to take part in your research, please submit an application to conduct research.
Current research projects
The Volunteer for Important Research Projects broadcast is released monthly, January to November.
Volunteers are continuously being sought to participate in a range of studies.
If you are interested in participating, please read through the eligibility requirements and apply using the relevant link in the study.
Filter research projects
Research |
Miracle Berry as a pH-dependent Taste Modifier to Improve Food Preferences and Diet Quality in Obese É«ÇéÍøÕ¾n Adults |
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Types of volunteers |
Inclusion Criteria: É«ÇéÍøÕ¾n adults living in É«ÇéÍøÕ¾ for a minimum of 10 years. | Age 18-65 years | BMI ≥30 kg/m². Exclusion criteria: Cancer diagnosis or current chemotherapy/immunotherapy. | Self-reported liver disease or kidney problems. | Known alterations to the sense of smell and taste, including dysphagia. | SARS-CoV-2 infection within the last three months. | Food allergies or intolerances (e.g., gluten allergy, lactose intolerance). | Current pregnancy or lactation. |
Description |
The project has two phases. Objectives (Phase 1) 1. To compare the effect of different doses of miracle fruit on the sourness and bitterness taste perception and the overall liking of hypo-palatable mixed foods among obese É«ÇéÍøÕ¾n adults 2. To compare the effect of different doses of miracle fruit on the sweetness taste intensity and overall liking of hyper-palatable SSBs among obese É«ÇéÍøÕ¾n adults Objectives (Phase 2). 1. To measure the effect of consumption of MB on the overall liking of individual foods and mixed meals served as breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack) in obese É«ÇéÍøÕ¾n adults in real-life settings. 2. To investigate the effect of consumption of MB on the energy intake and dietary quality of obese É«ÇéÍøÕ¾n adults in real-life settings. 3. To measure the effect of consumption of MB on the anthropometry and body composition of obese É«ÇéÍøÕ¾n adults in real-life settings (Secondary objectives). |
What is required and how long will it take? |
Phase 1 will be conducted as a One-time visit at the Gold Coast campus, Nutrition Kitchen lab (G-40, 2.12), and will take a maximum of 60 -90 minutes. Phase 2 is a follow-up feasibility Study at the participants' homes. The Principal Investigator will schedule four visits at the participants' homes, preferably according to their schedule (at baseline, after the first week, in the sixth week, and at 12 weeks). |
Incentive |
Participating mainly in this study will help in the successful completion of the project, which is hoped to inform policy and practices on alternative potential dietary approaches to minimize added sugar intake and improve intake of core foods such as fruits and vegetables. Additionally, the participant will directly get the following benefits. - Identify whether you are a supertaster or non-taster. - Know your body composition (Body fat percentage, Fat mass, fat-free mass, and Body water content) - Win Prizes: Enter for a chance to win one of five $50 AUD gift vouchers in Phase 1 and another 10 $50 AUD gift vouchers in Phase 2! |
Apply |
For more information, contact Getahun Mulaw (getahun.mulaw@griffithuni.edu.au).
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HREC approval |
GUHREC: 2024/052 |
Research |
Miracle berry as a pH-dependent taste modifier to improve food preferences and diet quality in É«ÇéÍøÕ¾n healthy adults |
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Types of volunteers |
É«ÇéÍøÕ¾n citizens/ living in É«ÇéÍøÕ¾ for ≥ 10 years. | BMI between 18.5-24.9 kg/m2 (Based on self-reported weight and height). | No self-reported Non-Communicable Diseases e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular diseases/ heart diseases, hypertension, chronic kidney diseases, cancer. | Age 18-65 years. | No food allergy or intolerances that may interfere with study evaluations e.g., gluten allergy, lactose intolerances, allergy to food and ingredients provided during the study (list of ingredients will be provided before consumption). | Not currently pregnant (if applicable) | No known alterations in smell or taste. | Not currently having or have had a diagnosis of COVID-19 in the previous three months. |
Description |
To investigate the effects of the taste modification property of miracle fruit on improving the taste perception and liking score of mixed foods with combination of tastes among É«ÇéÍøÕ¾n healthy adults. |
What is required and how long will it take? |
Once participants enter they lab they will answer socio-demographic questions. Next, they will have their anthropometry (weight, height, body fat%, water, and muscle mass), saliva pH (by spitting into a cup), and PTC taster status measured. Saliva will be collected for TAS2R38 gene detection (only from those who consent to it). Then, participants will consume the given tablet (made out of miracle fruit or dragon fruit) and rate the taste perception and liking of a salad on a scale from 0-100. The experiment will take 1 hour and 15 minutes. |
Incentive |
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Apply |
For more information, contact Shashya Diyapaththugama Vidanalage (shashya.diyapaththugamavidanalage@griffithuni.edu.au).
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HREC approval |
GUHREC: 2024/052 |
Research |
Data protections: A survey of Queenslanders |
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Types of volunteers |
All students are eligible except for those enrolled in an information technology program. |
Description |
Ausma Bernot and Hai Luong along with Joel Scanlan from the University of Tasmania and GCI HDR candidate Emma Shakespeare are currently recruiting participants aged 18+ living in Queensland to complete a survey about our preparedness for data breaches and how much we know about keeping our information secure. With data breaches happening more often, it’s crucial to understand our levels of information security awareness. |
What is required and how long will it take? |
The survey will take 10-15 minutes to complete. |
Incentive |
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Apply |
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HREC approval |
GUHREC: 2024/832 |
Research |
Norovirus Vaccine Trial |
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Types of volunteers |
Aged 60 years of age or older and in good health or have a well-controlled chronic medical condition. |
Description |
This study will evaluate the safety, effectiveness and immune response of a messenger RNA (mRNA)–based investigational vaccine aimed at protecting against norovirus disease. |
What is required and how long will it take? |
The study will last about 2 years. During the study, you will be required to attend at least 6 study centre visits and have at least 6 phone calls. |
Incentive |
You will be reimbursed for your time and travel associated with each study visit. |
Apply |
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HREC approval |
This trial has been approved by Bellberry HREC (#2024-09-1261) and GU HREC (#2025/015). |
Upcoming broadcasts 2025
- 23 January 2025
- 27 February 2025
- 27 March 2025
- 24 April 2025
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- 19 June 2025
- 17 July 2025
- 14 August 2025
- 11 September 2025
- 9 October 2025
- 6 November 2025
- 4 December 2025
To have your study included in the broadcast, submit an application to conduct research.