South African Research Ethics Training Initiative

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The revised South African Research Ethics Training Initiative IV (SARETI IV) Masters in Social Science (Health Research Ethics) program, based at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, will foster advanced African capacity for the ethics review and implementation of health research, with a special focus on strengthening legal capacity on research ethics committees (RECs). Health research on the continent has increased exponentially alongside a complex and evolving legal framework. However, curricula in Africa have not focused on the core legal framework governing health research ethics nor related ancillary and novel legal issues. Ethics guidelines in several African countries require a legal member on RECs – yet few are capacitated to meet the expansive demands of this role. These gaps will be addressed in SARETI IV through focused law modules within a multi-disciplinary Masters degree with funding for 20–25 students over the 5-year period. Additional self-funded students will enroll for modules or degrees. This holistic training program comprises: (1) face-to-face modular coursework; (2) practical work with local RECs, and leading NIH-funded organizations (the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) and the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)); (3) an expanded research project on a health research ethics topic relevant to the student's home institution or country, leading to publication of a peer- reviewed paper and supported through the program’s expanded social sciences and empirical bioethics offerings; (4) participation in skills development workshops focused on critical analysis, writing and presentation skills; and (5) structured mentoring support through individual coaching, a virtual mentorship community and peer support. Students will complete an annual capstone assessment to evaluate their assimilation of practical and theoretical knowledge through a ‘mock’ REC activity. As a leadership incentive, the top student from every academic year will (1) receive a scholarship to attend the FIC/NIH SARETI PhD-hosted Africa-wide Health Research Ethics Symposium (AHRES); (2) be appointed as an honorary REC member for a year to advance their review capacity; and (3) receive additional career coaching. The SARETI graduates and faculty will contribute to the ethical conduct of appropriate health research and development in Africa by building REC capacity, training legal REC members, developing social science expertise for research ethics questions, and by promoting the global development and profile of African research ethics scholarship.