Building research ethics capacity in post-communist countries: experience of two Fogarty training programs

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Bioethics
• International Health

Background:

• Post-Communist nations in Central/Eastern Europe and Central Asia exhibit varied capacities for protecting human research participants.
• Effective human subjects protection is crucial for ethical research and public trust.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of two Fogarty-funded training programs on research ethics capacity in post-Communist regions.
• To identify achievements and persistent challenges faced by program graduates in implementing research ethics.

Main Methods:

• Surveyed graduates of the Union Graduate College-Vilnius University Advanced Certificate Program and Case Western Reserve University Master's Degree Program.
• Analyzed alumni activities and leadership roles in research ethics.

Main Results:

• Alumni have assumed leadership positions on research ethics committees.
• Graduates have developed and taught new research ethics courses, contributing to scholarship.
• Political, social, and economic challenges hinder graduates' effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• Fogarty-funded programs have successfully produced leaders in research ethics in the region.
• Further curricular development is required in research methodology, policy implementation, and human rights integration.
• Addressing systemic challenges is vital for maximizing the impact of research ethics training.