The Global Forum on Bioethics in Research (GFBR) will hold a two-day meeting in Cape Town, South Africa in November 2022 (tentative) on the theme “Ethics of artificial intelligence in global health research”.
Awards are available for successful applicants from LMICs to cover the cost of their travel, accommodation and single-entry visa.
Meeting
summary:
Artificial
intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used in global health research but
frameworks, policy and best practice for the ethical review and oversight of
AI-enabled studies is currently lacking. The Forum will discuss how traditional
research ethics regulatory frameworks have responded to the rapid advances in
AI technology, and what changes are required, including to the role and
responsibility of research ethics committees (RECs). It will explore the
ethical challenges such as bias, privacy, data provenance and ownership,
along with the need for transparency, accountability and engagement during the
design and use of AI in global health research. To date, these discussions have
predominantly taken place in high-income countries, and low- and middle-income
country (LMIC) perspectives have been underrepresented. The Forum will
consider the LMIC context where AI has the potential to address critical
skills shortages and improve access to care, but where the ethical
challenges are made harder due to existing disparities in infrastructure,
knowledge and capacity. The Forum will take
a multidisciplinary approach to explore how AI technology is being designed and
used in health research, reflecting the range of actors involved in
this space and the importance of computer scientists and technologists who
apply AI for health to understand research ethics frameworks and
considerations.
As
part of the upcoming meeting, the GFBR is seeking case studies that bring attention to key ethical
issues that have emerged regarding the use of AI in health research in
LMIC settings and proposals to participate in a session on governance
issues. The GFBR is also seeking participants to
attend the meeting, with places awarded on a competitive basis.
Full
details on how to apply are available on the GFBR website and the background paper provides further details on the meeting theme.
The deadline for
applications is 17.00 CET on 17 June 2022.
Articles
13Th Edition Of The Edctp Forum To Take Place In Madrid, Spain, From 5 To 9 April 2027
We are delighted to announce that the 13th edition of the EDCTP Forum will be celebrated on 5-9 April 2027, at IFEMA Palacio Municipal in Madrid, Spain.
The event will be co-hosted by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) under the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and the Fundación CSAI (FCSAI) under the Ministry of Health, and is co-organised by Global Health EDCTP3 and the EDCTP Association.
Over the past two decades, the biennial European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) Forum has evolved to become a cornerstone event for global health research, bringing together leading voices advancing the fight against infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. It showcases the latest scientific breakthroughs, highlights impactful capacity-building efforts, and creates a space for vibrant cross-regional collaboration.
The EDCTP Forum 2027 expects to convene 1,500 participants and stakeholders, from researchers, universities and clinicians to governments, regional bodies, civil society, regulators, and public and private R&D partners, drawing participation primarily from Africa and Europe.
Dr Tuelo Mogashoa Becomes First Tagendi Phd Graduate
Botswana-born scientist Dr Tuelo Mogashoa, a PhD Fellow in the ‘Addressing Gender and Diversity Regional Gaps in Clinical Research Capacity’ (TAGENDI) programme, has successfully defended her PhD in Molecular Biology (Tuberculosis Genomics) at Stellenbosch University. Her virtual oral examination, held on 12 January 2025, marked the culmination of years of research and training.
Her doctoral thesis, titled “Rifampicin- resistant tuberculosis: an emerging threat to human health in Botswana,” addresses one of the most pressing challenges in TB control.
Dr Mogashoa is the first of seven PhD fellows from the inaugural TAGENDI cohort to complete her doctoral studies. The TAGENDI fellowship, implemented under the Trials of Excellence in Southern Africa (TESA) Network, is part of a dedicated PhD fellowship scheme launched by EDCTP2 in 2020 to support women in health research across sub-Saharan Africa. Coordinated by the EDCTP Networks of Excellence, the initiative received funding from the UK National Institute for Health and Care Research (Department of Health and Social Care).
As part of her PhD requirements, Dr Mogashoa was expected to produce four manuscripts, with at least two accepted in peer-reviewed journals. She has exceeded this requirement, publishing three peer-reviewed articles from her doctoral work, with a fourth manuscript currently under review.
Her journey highlights the transformative impact of long-term investment in research training, mentorship, and gender equity. As she moves into the next phase of her career, her work promises to make a meaningful contribution to improving TB diagnosis, treatment, and control.
More information:
- Dr Tuelo Mogashoa Successfully Defends PhD in TB Genomics
- Tuelo’s journey: building Botswana’s capacity for cutting-edge health research
Prof. Novel Chegou Elected As Fellow Of The African Academy Of Sciences
Prof. Novel Chegou, EDCTP Senior Fellow and Acting Head of the Division of Immunology at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, has been elected as a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences. This important achievement recognises his scientific leadership and impactful research on tuberculosis, particularly his work on biomarkers to improve diagnosis and patient care in resource-limited settings.
Read more