Researching ELSI Research Training

描述(由申请人提供)： 随着基因发现步伐的加快，培训拥有预测、分析和解决这些发现的伦理、法律和社会影响(ELSI)所需知识和技能的研究人员的需求也越来越大。认识到对更多训练有素的ELSI研究人员的需求日益增长，最近资助的ELSI研究卓越中心(CEERs)的指示明确将培训下一代ELSI研究人员作为一个重要目标。为了实现这一目标，需要解决以下问题：博士后和研究生实习生需要哪些领域的知识和技能来进行ELSI问题的研究，超越学科之间的界限，并将研究转化为社会政策？这个问题看起来很简单，但答案几乎肯定是复杂的。研究人员在学科之家接受培训，通常他们的主要学术身份也在那里；培训需求可能是根据个人的研究重点以及该个人接受培训的CEER或其他机构的教员的专门知识和研究兴趣而定的。此外，尽管在过去的15年里提供了大量的资金，但什么是“ELSI研究”是一个有争议的领域。考虑到这些限制，是否有可能为那些对进行ELSI研究和进入ELSI研究人员的专业社区感兴趣的人阐明核心能力或知识和技能领域？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ELSI研究是如何随着时间的推移而定义的，通过资助优先事项、发表的研究以及研究部分的组成和说明。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，确定对参与ELSI研究的人员进行培训的基本假设和做法。具体目标3)让ELSI研究人员、受训人员和管理人员参加一系列互动活动，以确定哪些知识和技能领域可以构成那些进入或参与ELSI研究的人的核心能力。具体目标4)对已确定的核心能力的感知有用性进行评估，并制定研究评估计划，以评估其用于培训目的的可行性和这种培训的效用。

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.