CSIRO’s GISERA governance ensures scientific integrity and independence

Re: Stuart Murray’s letter to “Your Say” dated December 12, 2019, titled “Let’s put the record straight.”

The integrity of scientific research carried out by CSIRO’s Gas Industry Social and Environmental Research Alliance (GISERA) is protected by its strong governance arrangements that ensure the independence of CSIRO research irrespective of funding source.

GISERA’s governance framework maintains the highest standards of research independence, transparency and integrity for all CSIRO scientific studies and research activities undertaken through GISERA.

When companies sign-up to GISERA they agree to complete transparency of reporting before research proposals are approved.

Companies do not have rights to alter, edit or respond to research reports written by CSIRO under GISERA.

CSIRO scientific studies and research activities for GISERA are subject to CSIRO’s research ethics guidance and peer review processes, and all results are available for public review.

Details of GISERA’s governance arrangements are public and available here https://gisera.csiro.au/research-independence/

A copy of GISERA’s Social Baseline Assessment: Narrabri project – Final Report can be found here https://gisera.csiro.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Social-7-Final-Report-correct.pdf

CSIRO’s GISERA research provides necessary information for communities, gas industry and government to make long-term decisions and manage impacts associated with onshore gas development and operations.

Dr Damian Barrett, Director, GISERA.