Research Newsletter – Issue 61: Information and Updates

The new BSC Process Flowchart serves to inform and assist Principal Investigators and Researchers, who intend to submit a funding application to an external funding body to undertake a research project at DCU involving the use of human/clinical samples or any biological agents, on the process to be adhered to prior to initiating the project. Examples of biological agents include bacterial strains, viruses, mammalian cell lines or genetically-modified organisms/microorganisms. 

This procedure has been introduced to ensure that key biological safety and operational considerations are addressed, before the applicant submits the funding application. These include ensuring that a laboratory with suitable containment level is accessible to the applicant (to support a Safe System of Work).  In parallel, all applications that intend to use biological agents must be discussed with the DCU Biological and General Safety Officer prior to submission, to conduct an initial assessment of biohazard risk and to ensure that adequate waste management processes can be implemented to support compliance. 

We would ask all Principal Investigators and Researchers who plan on undertaking research involving human/clinical samples or any other biological agents to familiarise themselves with this document, and to adhere to the guidelines of the process flowchart moving forward.

A copy of this document can be found below.

DCU PPI Ignite has been supporting and building capacity for public and patient involvement (PPI) in research in DCU health and social care research for the past 3 years. The Health Research Board and the Irish Research Council have announced funding for a PPI Ignite Network to continue development of supports for PPI. DCU is one of 7 HEIs involved in this network.

As part of this transition DCU PPI Ignite are collecting your experiences and perceptions of PPI through a survey. DCU PPI Ignite really value hearing about your experiences of PPI at all levels from individual members of research teams, PPI in specific projects, and PPI across DCU at an organizational level. Sharing your experiences, perceptions, challenges and impacts of PPI has shaped supports for PPI in DCU so far. Your continued sharing of experience will enable us to target structured supports for PPI in the future as we move forward to the PPI Ignite Network.

The survey is for all staff who are or have conducted health and social care research in DCU and focuses on PPI in research at all stages. This is your opportunity to ensure that your experience and opinion is included.

The short survey can be completed at the link below:

https://dcusciencehealth.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0ky1Y4gfl902gGa

If you have any queries please don't hesitate to contact Lucy Whiston, Programme Manager, DCU PPI Ignite on ppi@dcu.ie or lucy.whiston@dcu.ie

The Health Research Board have launched their new strategy “Health research - making an impact”.  The strategy covers the period 2021 -2025 and outlines their strategic objectives and implementation actions, as well as confirming their mission and values. 

It is recommended reading for anyone working in Health research or considering applying to the HRB in the next few years.  You can access the Strategy via the HRB website.

The slides from the latest research integrity webinar on Good research practice from the publishers' perspective are now available. Details regarding the whole research integrity webinar series are available via the UKRIO website.

The European Commission have presented a green paper to launch a broad policy debate on the challenges and opportunities of Europe's ageing society. It sets out the impact of this pronounced demographic trend across our economy and society, and seeks to discuss possible ways to anticipate and respond to the socioeconomic impacts of Europe’s ageing population. 

Education and training stakeholders are invited to express their views on how to respond to this in a public consultation (open until 21st April).

Expressions Research Orientations: Sexuality Studies (EROSS) is a DCU-based research group aimed at investigating in an open fashion the varied processes and variations in sexual cultures, sexual identities and gender role formation.

EROSS, a cross-, inter-, and multi-disciplinary research cluster, welcomes academics, researchers and professionals whose aims are to enhance sexual literacy, generate well being and advocate social justice. Further information can be found at the new EROSS@DCU website,