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Welcome to the PREPARED final conference special issue |
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In times of crisis, accelerated research saves lives, but it is not always done ethically. The EU funded PREPARED project designed 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. |
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Dear reader,
Our final conference in June has been a huge success. Whether you were there and experienced it first hand or were unable to make it, we’d like to share with you a quick recap and some exciting developments that have taken place since then. We think it’s all interesting, but if you’re pressed for time, our ‘quick links’ allow you to skip to what interests you the most. |
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Moderated by science journalist and broadcaster Vivienne Parry OBE, the event brought together internationally renowned experts, including delegates from the PREPARED project and invited guests, such as Prof. Peter Singer, and was attended by more than 100 people. The conference marked the exciting launch of the PREPARED Code, a Springer Brief, Harassment Guidelines, and the opening of the consultation for the TRUST Code Supplement. We also advocated for fairer visa processes to strengthen global science. |
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Freedom from harassment for scientists |
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Prof. Peter Singer - Emeritus Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics, Princeton University |
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This panel discussion focused on the critical issue of safeguarding scholars and addressing hostility toward scientists. Professor Peter Singer discussed the harassment of researchers, sharing his personal experiences with censorship and the suppression of his freedom of speech, particularly concerning his views on subjects like euthanasia. |
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Dr Dafna Feinholz from UNESCO highlighted the organisation's efforts to protect scientists, noting the risks of self-censorship and academics withdrawing from their positions after experiencing harassment, while Oula Silvennoinen from the Committee for Public Information Finland discussed the broader issue of hate in society. |
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Dr Oula Silvennoinen - Committee for Public Information Finland |
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The session concluded with the official launch and presentation of PREPARED's Freedom from Harassment report. This report aims to raise awareness about the threats scientists face, emphasising that freedom from harassment is essential for scientific progress.
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The TRUST Code Supplement
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The second panel discussion introduced the TRUST Code Supplement, a newly developed, jargon-free ethics code aimed at guiding research in fragile settings. The code was presented as a tool to promote equitable research practices during times of crisis. The consultation for the TRUST Code Supplement was officially launched by Dorian Karatzas, former Head of Ethics and Integrity at the European Commission, and Dr Filipa Ferraz de Oliveira, Ethics Principal Agent of the European Research Council Executive Agency. |
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From left to right: Prof Doris Schroeder of UCLan Cyprus, Dr Orla Drummond of Trilateral Research, Dr Thomas Nyirenda of EDCTP, Dr Young Su Park of Seoul National University, Dr Saleh Aljadeeah of the Antwerp Institute of Tropical Medicine, Prof Eugenijus Gefenas of Vilnius University, Dr Filipa Ferraz de Oliveira, of the European Research Council Executive Agency and Dorian Karatzas, former Head of Ethics and Integrity at the European Commission.
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Keynote Promoting Equitable Science during Crisis
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Dr Michael Makanga - Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking |
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The panels were followed by a keynote speech delivered by Dr Michael Makanga, Executive Director of the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking, who emphasised the necessity of ethical partnerships in the fight against infectious diseases. He highlighted that ensuring local community ownership and accountability in addressing these diseases can serve as crucial early warning systems for future public health crises. |
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Launching the PREPARED Code
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The panel session introduced the PREPARED Code, a Global Code of Conduct for Research During Pandemics, grounded in the core values of fairness, respect, care, and honesty. The project partners also presented a related book, Research Ethics and Integrity During Pandemics, which focuses on the PREPARED Code's development. Additionally, the team demonstrated a training app and materials designed to offer accessible ethics guidance for researchers during crises when traditional support systems are unavailable. The session concluded with the formal launch of the PREPARED Code by Dr João Monteiro, Editor in Chief of Nature Medicine. |
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International Mobility for Global Science
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Current visa application policies are hobbling global research. During this session, the panellists shared first hand experiences related to the difficulties of obtaining visas for attending conferences and highlighted the importance of ensuring ethical and fair access for scientists to participate in global scientific discourse. The panel concluded with the presentation of Promoting Global Science – An Ethics Brief for Conference Visas, |
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From left to right: Prof. Stéphanie Laulhé Shaelou (ICLAIM, Cyprus), Ibrahim Lwingi (PHDA, Nairobi), Dr Joshua Kimani (PHDA, Nairobi), Prof. Wei Zhu (Fudan University in Shanghai), and Dr Nandini Kumar (President of FERCI, Mumbai).
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which advocates for fast, unbureaucratic, low-cost, low-burden, short-term mobility visas. |
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Voices from Nairobi photo exhibition. © Iddah Akinyi |
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Voices from Nairobi photo exhibition
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The event concluded with a photo exhibition documenting how the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted a highly successful community engagement programme in Nairobi. The exhibition featured powerful portraits from Nairobi, each capturing witness stories from the community. These pictures were uniquely accompanied by video and audio, accessible directly on the viewer's phone, allowing the portraits to "speak" and share the experiences of those depicted. |
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Research in Fragile Settings workshop
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The conference was followed the next day by a workshop on Equitable Research During Crisis, where speakers shared experiences implementing the TRUST Code and highlighted initiatives aimed at making research more equitable. Panel speakers emphasised the need for a cultural and institutional change to shift the narrative about research ethics to enhance research quality and community trust, and how PREPARED materials are substantially advancing these efforts. |
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The TRUST Code Supplement – A Global Code of Conduct for Research in Fragile Settings Research has the power to address humanity's biggest challenges, especially in fragile settings like post-disaster zones, conflict regions, and high-crime informal settlements.
The TRUST Code Supplement we presented during the conference in Paris is a global Code of Conduct to ensure research in fragile settings is conducted ethically, and is now open for public consultation.
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Since the June conference, the PREPARED Code has gained significant traction. The Chief Editor at Nature Medicine, Dr João Monteiro, published an editorial discussing how the Code “presents a much-needed framework to ensure that research during pandemics is trustworthy and accessible to all”. Dr Marija Antanaviciute from Nuffield Council on Bioethics authored an article detailing the launch of the PREPARED Code and highlighting decolonising global research. |
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Prof Doris Schroeder was invited to write an article in Memorial University, Newfoundland and Labrador's Impact Ethics magazine in which she presents the PREPARED Code. She was also invited to present the TRUST and PREPARED Codes to a Chinese audience at a conference which attracted over 1000 viewers globally from pharmaceutical companies, medical institutions, hospitals, drug administrations and ethics committees to exchange thoughts and share their best practice. |
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Publications The UNESCO Headquarters also hosted the official launch of our book, Research Ethics and Integrity During Pandemics. The book focuses on the PREPARED Code's development and was officially launched by Fritz Schmuhl, Executive Publisher at Springer NATURE. Read the book here. |
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Dr Michelle Singh of EDCTP Cape Town, Fritz Schmuhl, Executive Publisher Springer NATURE, and Dr Kate Chatfield of UCLan UK |
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A record 15 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. |
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Blogs
Want even more reading material? Have a look at our project reports here. |
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Funded by the European Union. UK participants in Horizon Europe Project PREPARED are supported by UK Research and Innovation grant number 10048353 (University of Central Lancashire). Swiss participants in Horizon Europe Project Prepared are supported by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Research Executive Agency or UKRI or SERI. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority nor UKRI or SERI can be held responsible for them. |
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