Capacity Development of Research Ethics Administrators: Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Bioethics
• Research Administration
• Capacity Development

Background:

• Capacity development initiatives for research ethics committees (RECs) predominantly focus on members, often overlooking administrators.
• Research ethics administrators play a crucial role in the operational efficiency and integrity of RECs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To map the existing capacity development efforts specifically targeting research ethics administrators.
• To identify gaps and trends in the literature concerning the training and professional development of these administrators.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scoping review of relevant literature was performed.
• A systematic search identified 92 records, with 22 studies included after screening.
• Data extraction and synthesis focused on capacity development initiatives for administrators.

Main Results:

• Only two of the 22 studies directly addressed capacity development for research ethics administrators.
• These two studies highlighted two specific initiatives in Africa: the African Conference for Administrators of Research Ethics Committees and the West African Bioethics Training Program.
• The majority of the literature (20 studies) focused on the capacity development of committees or their members, not administrators.

Conclusions:

• There is a significant lack of documented capacity development efforts for research ethics administrators globally.
• Current efforts are concentrated in specific regions, such as Africa, indicating a need for broader initiatives.
• Further research and investment are required to strengthen the professional development of research ethics administrators worldwide.