UoN-OSU MSc in One Health and Emergency Research Ethics (MOHERE)

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Project Summary/Abstract One Health research is a field of international health research which recognizes the complex interconnectedness of human, animal, plant, microbial and environmental health. It takes an interdisciplinary approach to respond to global health needs in the search for causes, prevention and response. Its importance has been experienced globally with COVID-19, a viral disease devastating humans, involving animals, and linked to changes in agricultural, social, environmental and travel practices. One Health research plays a key role in addressing outbreaks, pandemics and the health implications of disasters, humanitarian crises and other emergencies, often requiring research to be initiated urgently – and raising additional ethical challenges. As One Health research increases, so does the need to address its ethical issues. One Health research often involves human subjects, animals (domestic and wild), agricultural practices, cultural practices and environmental issues, all with distinct ethical components. As reports and our team’s OHEARP survey have found, ethics review committees and regulators are already over-burdened and poorly equipped to review and monitor One Health research. As Kenya has received growing numbers of international research projects, the number of people trained in research ethics, or available to conduct such training, has been inadequate. The goal of our MOHERE program is to provide such training and hence build the research ethics capacity for Kenya’s growing international health research, including One Health and emergency research. We will achieve that goal through two specific aims. Specific Aim 1: To strengthen the international health research ethics training capacity at the University of Nairobi and Kenya from a One Health and emergency perspective Specific Aim 2: To Establish a Master’s Level program in international health research ethics with a focus on One Health research and emergency research. A cadre of health professionals will develop expertise in research ethics for One Health so that health research is conducted ethically and in culturally relevant ways for Kenya. The MOHERE team, all with experience teaching bioethics and research ethics, will develop and deliver a 1- year postgraduate diploma (PGD) and 2-year MSc in research ethics. The programs will equip scientists, health professionals and academics as MOHERE trainees to develop the critical competencies needed to provide research ethics education and training, ethics review leadership, and expert consultation to researchers, their institutions, governments and international research organizations. At the same time, another group of doctorate- level professionals (or equivalent depending on their field) will become MA Fellows to complete the OSU MA in Bioethics. They will become the bioethics and research ethics educators and mentors to will help sustain a vibrant research ethics culture at the University of Nairobi and in Kenya. This group will also engage in research into research ethics so that the distinct ethics issues in international research ethics in Kenya will be investigated. As a result, Kenya will contribute to important research ethics scholarship into One Health research ethics.