Welcome to the PREPARED newsletter - November 2024

In times of crisis, accelerated research saves lives, but it is not always done ethically. The EU funded PREPARED project is designing a values-based framework to expedite research in times of global crisis without sacrificing ethics and integrity.

Visit our website and follow us on social media to know more.

Have your say

PREPARED Code – public consultation

Survey on research in fragile settings

The types of fragile settings we refer to include environments such as conflict or post-conflict zones, regions which recently experienced natural disasters; refugee camps under serious resource constraints; or high-crime settings such as high-crime informal settlements. We are not referring to pandemic settings.

You can access the survey and full participant information here or via the QR code. The survey will be open until midnight (UK time) on 31 January 2025.  

Project updates 

In June 2024, the PREPARED project submitted written comments, which have been taken on board by the World Medical Association (WMA) Working Group who developed and revised the Declaration. Read more

New training materials and resources available on our website

PREPARED is developing free training materials for research ethics and integrity decision-making to improve overall preparedness for global crises. Our engaging and jargon free short videos will make learning about research ethics a piece of cake! Watch them here. 

Here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect…

Research - who benefits

Ethics dumping

Eager for more engaging visual content? Check out our brand new Communication materials page to see our posters.

What we're reading

Publications

A record 12 peer-reviewed publications have been accepted from our work so far, as well as a special issue published in Research Ethics. All our publications are open access and are available on our website. Here is a small selection:

• Special Issue: Preparing for the Next Global Crisis: Research Ethics and Integrity Matters in Crisis Situations – edited by Dr Kate Chatfield and Dr Hazel Partington
• Streamlining the Ethical-Legal Governance of Cross-Border Health Data Sharing During Global Health Emergencies – written by Dr Pamela Andanda and Langelihle Mlotshwa
• Project Lightspeed: a Case Study in Research Ethics and Accelerated Vaccine Development – written by Prof. Klaus Leisinger and Prof. Doris Schroeder
• Improving Ethical Assurance For Non-University Researchers In Crisis Settings: An Early Vision Based On Democratic Norms – written by Dr Leanne Cochrane, Dr Orla Drummond, and Eliza Jordan

Blogs

• Meet Iddah Akinyi – the PREPARED filmmaker from Nairobi – written by Iddah Akinyi and Prof. Doris Schroeder
• Mpox – how a neglected epidemic became a public health emergency – written by Corinna Pannofino with contributions from Dr Joshua Kimani and Prof. Doris Schroeder
• Book Review – Challenging the protection-inclusion dilemma in research ethics: A community engagement toolkit for leaving no one behind in research – written by Dr Michelle Singh
• A call for research ethics in the face of the climate crisis  – written by Carly Seedall
• Taking Responsibility for Vaccine Side Effects – Legal versus Moral Obligations for Vaccine Manufacturers   –  written by Prof. Klaus Leisinger and Prof. Doris Schroeder

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