P007820 revised AU-VU:EOAS Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation

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 English AACR2 Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules Person created 2025-08-18 human Gavan McCarthy updated 2025-10-07 human https://www.eoas.info/biogs/P007820b.htm person Briggs Michael Harvey AACR2 20 August 1935 1986 Place of Birth United Kingdom Place of Death Spain Biochemist Professor Michael Briggs was an authority on the contraceptive pill, specifically blood chemistry changes that might predict long-term risks. He held numerous international positions as an academic and in industrial research, was advisor to the WHO and a prolific writer, authoring many books, some with his wife Maxine. In January 1973 he arrived in Melbourne from the UK to be Director of Biochemistry at the Alfred Hospital. In 1975 he moved to Geelong to be Head of the School of Applied Sciences at the Gordon Institute of Technology, undoubtedly aware that the Institute was to be absorbed into the new Deakin University. In 1976 he was appointed Dean of the School of Sciences at Deakin. [From the "The Briggs Affair Part 1"] In 1983 he was accused of research fraud, which he initially contested and then finally admitted in 1986 and died shortly after in Spain of liver failure. 1973 1975 Career position - Director of Biochemisty, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne 1975 1976 Career position - Head, School of Applied Sciences, Gordon Institute of Technology, Geelong 1976 1983 Career position - Dean, School of Sciences, Deakin University October 1982 October 1982 Event - Research integrity concerns about Briggs work placed before Vice Chancellor Fred Jevons November 1983 November 1983 Event - A complaint is lodged by Dr Jim Rossiter, Head of the Deakin University Ethics Committee, against two research papers published by Professor Michael Briggs, in conjunction with his wife, Maxine, in 1979 and 1980. The papers concern the effects of an oral contraceptive pill. The university initiates a Preliminary Committee of Inquiry. September 1984 September 1984 Event - In an invocation of the Visitor system of University appeal, Michael Briggs petitions the Governor of Victoria, Rear-Admiral Sir Brian Murray, in relation to the Preliminary Committee of Inquiry. February 1985 February 1985 Event - Sir Brian Murray rules against Deakin University, upholding Michael Briggs' petition and criticising the Vice-Chancellor of Deakin University, Professor Fred R. Jevons, for failing to exercise his discretion in referring the matter to a preliminary inquiry. June 1985 June 1985 Event - A new inquiry is initiated by three prominent Victorian medical specialists who allege gross misconduct against Michael Briggs. The complainants are Dr Bryan Hudson, Professor Henry Burger and Jim Rossiter. Their concerns are published in a letter to the medical journal, Contraception. October 1985 October 1985 Event - Michael Briggs resigns from Deakin University and the inquiry proceedings cease. By this time Briggs has left Australia, and is believed to be living in the south of Spain. October 1986 October 1986 Event - Michael Briggs confesses scientific fraud to journalist, Brian Deer. His statement is subsequently published in The Sunday Times. December 1986 December 1986 Event - Newspapers report that Michael Briggs has died in Spain. Management of Research Integrity in Australia (c. 1950 - 2025) Deakin University (1974 - )

Dean, School of Health Sciences 1976 - 1983

 'Briggs, Michael Harvey', in Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation, Centre for Transformative Innovation, Swinburne University of Technology Briggs, Michael Harvey Swinburne University of Technology, Centre for Transformative Innovation Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation Journal Article: Michael Briggs 1935-1986. Faked data on the safety of oral contraceptive preparations taken by millions of women Webb, Geoffrey P. Michael Briggs 1935-1986. Faked data on the safety of oral contraceptive preparations taken by millions of women drgeoffnutrition.wordpress.com 2017 Dr Geoff [blog]: Serving up the tasty truth . . without all the junk Journal Article: The Briggs Affair Part 3: Fallout Catrice, Antony [Deakin University Archivist] The Briggs Affair Part 3: Fallout Victoria Deakin University 2022 The Deakin Library blog Journal Article: The Briggs Affair Part 2: The push for a University inquiry Catrice, Antony [Deakin University Archivist] The Briggs Affair Part 2: The push for a University inquiry Victoria Deakin University 2022 The Deakin Library blog Journal Article: The Briggs Affair Part 1: An academic scandal Catrice, Antony [Deakin University Archivist] The Briggs Affair Part 1: An academic scandal Victoria Deakin University 2022 The Deakin Library blog Resource: Guide to the Records of Dr Jan Sapp Regarding the Briggs Affair Smith, Ailie, and McCarthy, Ann Guide to the Records of Dr Jan Sapp Regarding the Briggs Affair Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre 2007 Records of Dr Jan Sapp Regarding the Briggs Affair State Library of Victoria, Australian Manuscripts Collection Records of Dr Jan Sapp Regarding the Briggs Affair MS 13603 1976 - 1989 Records collected by Dr. Jan Sapp regarding an investigation at Deakin University of a case of scientific fraud (ca. 1983-ca. 1986). The case centred on the research of Professor Michael Harvey Briggs [Deakin University] who ultimately confessed to having fabricated research findings on an oral contraceptive pill. Dr. Jan Sapp was working in the History and Philosophy of Science Department at the University of Melbourne when he collected these papers in order to research the Briggs affair. 0.2125 m, 17 items Paper files and documents