Our Leadership
The Collective is led by Co-Directors Hannah Neale and Lindsey Te Ata o Tū MacDonald, who together bring more than 30 years of experience in research ethics, ethics review and research governance. Working in partnership, they provide strategic leadership, oversee operations and support the ongoing development of The Collective's services.
Co-Founder | Co-Director
Lindsey Te Ata o Tū MacDonald (Kai Tahū) is a senior lecturer in political philosophy and a research associate of the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre at the University of Canterbury. He is also the co-Chair of the UC Ethics Committee
Co-Founder | Co-Director
Hannah Neale is a qualified Barrister and Solicitor of the New Zealand High Court, and has been working in research ethics management in the public and private sector for the duration of her career.
Our Advisory Board
Our independent Advisory Board provides strategic oversight of The Collective's governance, policies and quality assurance programme. The Board supports continuous improvement, monitors organisational performance and helps ensure our services remain independent, transparent and aligned with best practice.
Associate Professor Monique Jonas
Monique has just spent 6 years as the Chair of the Health Research Council Ethics Committee, after time with the National Ethics Advisory Committee, and the National Health Committee. A bioethicist at the University of Auckland, she has recently published On the Ethics of Advising with Oxford University Press.
Dr Gordon McGurk
Gordon has a long history in research and in Government. His areas of experience are particularly in the areas of clinical trial governance, research ethics, research integrity and research governance, in which he provides advice in a professional capacity. He has chaired Human Research Ethics Committees in Brisbane for over 9 years and is a qualified lawyer with interests in health law, privacy and human rights law. He is also chair of an Australian Standards sub-committee on biosafety.
Ruth Lucas
Ruth is a clinical research professional with over 20 years of experience in the clinical trials industry. Beginning her career in the UK, Ruth conducted trials across all phases before relocating to New Zealand in 2006. Currently Ruth is consulting in NZ as a clinical research professional, providing support for research sites and international companies looking to place studies in NZ, and the current Chair of New Zealand Association for Clinical Research (NZACRes).
Emeritus Professor Elaine Rush
Elaine Rush MNZM, PhD has been involved in health and education for all her working career. In 2014 she was appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to health and in 2019 was appointed Professor Emeritus in recognition of long and distinguished service to the University through outstanding research and teaching. Elaine recently finished two terms on the Health Research Council and the Council's ethics committee.
Professor Huia Jahnke
Huia is a Professor of Māori and Indigenous Education and former Head of the School of Education at Massey University. Huia has contributed extensively to advancing Māori research sovereignty and culturally anchored ethics, including leadership in institutional and national committees focused on Māori research governance. She brings deep expertise in Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles, Indigenous knowledge systems, and ethical approaches that centre mana, and community accountability.
A not-for-profit provider of human research ethics services, grounded in manaakitanga, pono, kotahitanga and professionalism
Aotearoa New Zealand
