Researching ELSI Research Training

描述（由申请人提供）： 随着基因发现步伐的加快，也需要培养具有预测、分析和解决这些发现的伦理、法律的和社会影响（ELSI）所需知识和技能的研究人员。认识到越来越需要更多训练有素的ELSI研究人员，最近资助的ELSI研究卓越中心（CEER）的指令明确提出了培训下一代ELSI研究人员的一个重要目标。为了实现这一目标，需要解决以下问题：博士后和研究生学员需要哪些知识和技能领域，以便能够对ELSI问题进行研究，超越学科之间的界限，并将研究转化为社会政策？这个问题似乎很简单，但答案几乎肯定是复杂的。研究人员在学科家中接受培训，通常他们的主要学术身份也居住在那里;培训需求可能会根据个人的研究重点以及CEER或其他机构的专业知识和教师的研究兴趣而有所不同。此外，尽管过去15年来获得了慷慨的资助，但“ELSI研究”的构成仍是有争议的领域。鉴于这些限制，是否有可能阐明核心能力或知识和技能领域的那些有兴趣进行ELSI研究和进入专业社区的ELSI研究人员？拟议的研究项目旨在通过以下四个具体目标来回答这个问题：具体目标1）检查如何ELSI研究已随着时间的推移，通过资金的优先顺序，发表的研究，和组成和指示研究部分定义。具体目标2）通过对培训计划材料、文献和教学大纲的内容审查，以及与利益相关者的访谈，确定参与ELSI研究的人员培训的假设和实践。具体目标3）从事ELSI研究人员，学员和管理人员在一系列的互动活动，以确定知识和技能的领域，可以构成那些进入或参与ELSI研究的核心能力。具体目标4）对已确定的核心能力的预期有用性进行评估，并制定研究评估计划，以评估其用于培训目的的可行性以及此类培训的效用。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): As the pace of genetic discoveries increases, so does the need to train researchers who have the knowledge and skills necessary to anticipate, analyze, and address the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of these discoveries. Recognizing the growing need for more well trained ELSI researchers, directives for the recently funded Centers for Excellence in ELSI Research (CEERs) explicitly made training the next generation of ELSI researchers an important goal. To meet this goal, the following question needs to be addressed: What are the domains of knowledge and skills that post-doctoral and graduate trainees need to be able to conduct research on ELSI issues, transcend boundaries between disciplines, and translate research into social policy? The question seems simple, but the answer almost certainly is complex. Researchers are trained in a disciplinary home, usually where their primary academic identity also resides; and training needs may be idiosyncratic based on an individual's research focus and on the expertise and research interests of faculty at the CEER or other institution where the individual is receiving training. Furthermore, despite generous funding over the past 15 years, what constitutes "ELSI research" is contested territory. Given these constraints, is it possible to articulate core competencies or knowledge and skill domains for those interested in conducting ELSI research and entering the professional community of ELSI researchers? The proposed research project is designed to answer this question through the following four specific aims: Specific Aim 1) Examine how ELSI research has been defined over time, through funding priorities, published research, and composition of and instructions to study sections. Specific Aim 2) Determine the assumptions and practices underlying training for persons involved in ELSI research through content review of training program materials, literature, and syllabi; and interviews with stakeholders. Specific Aim 3) Engage ELSI researchers, trainees, and administrators in a series of interactive activities to determine the domains of knowledge and skills that could constitute core competencies for those entering or involved in ELSI research. Specific Aim 4) Conduct an assessment of the perceived usefulness of the identified core competencies, and develop a research evaluation plan to assess their feasibility for training purposes and the utility of such training.