Education

Mission

The mission of OHRP's Division of Education and Development (DED) is to enhance the protection of human subjects in HHS conducted or supported research, by providing education to individuals involved in the human subjects research enterprise. Specifically, the DED

Produces and coordinates conferences on human subjects protection issues;
Develops and conducts quality assessment activities to improve human research protection programs;
Promotes cooperative education and development efforts among external groups and consortia to improve human subjects protections and related processes;
Responds to requests for clarification and guidance regarding ethical issues in research involving human subjects;
Provides assistance to institutions engaged in HHS-conducted or -sponsored research involving human subjects; and,
Maintains, promulgates, and updates educational and institutional review guidance materials.

DED Educational Activities and Resources

The DED provides a multifaceted education program, including the activities and resources summarized below. Please refer to the pages linked on the left for additional information.

Training - Videos, Webinars and Other Materials -OHRP has developed a number of resources to assist in training of investigators, IRB members, and staff involved in the conduct and oversight of human subjects research. These include educational videos, webinars and brochures.

Research Community Forums (RCFs) - OHRP sponsors a number of national conferences each year. A RCF is a comprehensive one-day program focusing on regulatory and ethical issues pertaining to the protection of human subjects in research. OHRP jointly develops the workshop program with a host institution. For information on hosting a future OHRP-sponsored RCF, please contact Elyse Summers.

Quality Assessment Workshops - OHRP conducts free workshops on “Developing Your Human Research Protections Program: Regulatory Compliance and Additional Considerations.” They are only offered to institutions that review and conduct U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)–supported research, and are designed for an institution’s key personnel involved with the development and implementation of human research protections policies and procedures.

Quality Assessment Program - OHRP's Quality Assessment Program is intended to help institutions evaluate and improve the quality of their human research protections program. Institutions may do a self-assessment utilizing the QA Self-Assessment Tool. In addition, institutions may contact OHRP to request an in-depth consultation.

Speaking Invitations - OHRP staff participate in numerous meetings (conferences and seminars) sponsored by institutions, professional associations, private industry, advocacy groups and the federal government. OHRP's state-of-the-art videoconferencing equipment offers OHRP staff greater opportunity to participate in meetings via videoconference. Please send all speaking invitations to Elyse Summers.

OHRP Website - The OHRP website provides numerous resources regarding human subject protections. These include current and historical materials, such as the OHRP Guidebook (1993).

OHRP Email Box - Questions regarding the HHS human subject protection regulations, OHRP guidance, or ethical issues related to human subject research may be sent to OHRP via email. The Division of Education and Development staff responds to questions sent to the OHRP email box.

The OHRP email address is: ohrp@hhs.gov