Research ethics during epidemics with a focus on African values and One Health
Research ethics in outbreaks of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases can be difficult to navigate especially in contexts where cultural values of patients and populations often differ, the practice of research is not well-established, and local governance of research is in its infancy or under-resourced. Designed specifically with first responders to outbreaks in mind, the Agenda is sensitive to the practical constraints on managing outbreaks, what research activities could be feasible, and what responsibilities first responders might assume by being involved with such activities.
While there are many international ethical codes of conduct from which to draw, this workshop will bring together regional and local expertise in bioethics, social sciences, and one health researchers to share their reflections on how to integrate ethical research into outbreak responses in Africa and to share experiences of different stakeholders to help think through the key challenges for research in this environment.
Participation in the workshop entitled delegates to access facilities for a longer term discussion forum through which queries can be posted for rapid answers and discussion of ethical issues, different views and values arising in practice can be shared and facilitated.
Learning Objectives
The main aims of the event are to:
- help integrate research methods into outbreak response management
- promote ethical research, community engagement, and opportunities in one health
- consolidate and share African expertise in research ethics
- consult regional and local views and values to inform the work of the African CDC
- cascade training and materials through these first responders who are senior and specialist public health practitioners who can, in turn, train local colleagues
Discussion Group | Programme | Report
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Watch full screen: The importance of integrated research during epidemics and its challenges |
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Watch full screen: Community priority setting, involvement and engagement, science communication |
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Watch full screen: Ethics, research design, benefit sharing and collaboration |