Alberta Research Ethics Symposium

8:30 - 

8:45 a.m.

Welcome and introductory remarks 

Speaker: Dr. William Ghali, vice-president (research), University of Calgary

Ethical Issues in Platform Trials  

Speaker: Natascha Kozlowski, Executive Director, Ontario Cancer Research Ethics Board (OCREB)

Natascha Kozlowski became the Executive Director of the Ontario Cancer Research Ethics Board (OCREB) in 2020. OCREB is a specialized central REB that was established in 2004 to streamline research ethics review. Natascha obtained her MPH from Boston University and her professional experience includes being Director of Research at Lakeridge Health and Manager, Research Quality and Process at St. Michael's Hospital. She served as the REB Chair at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences for two terms. As Executive Director at OCREB, Natascha is focused on streamlining research ethics reviews and collaborating across all areas of cancer research.

9:45 - 

10:00 a.m.

10:00  - 

11:00  a.m.

Ethical Issues in AI trials involving Health System Data   

Speaker: Dr. Jeff Bakal, Program Director, Provincial Research Data Services, Alberta Health Services (operator of the Alberta SPOR Data Platform) 

Dr. Jeff Bakal is Program Director for Provincial Research Data Services at Alberta Health Services, supporting the Alberta SPOR data platform, and a Clinical Lecturer in the Division of General Internal Medicine at the University of Alberta. With a PhD in Mathematics and Statistics, his work focuses on statistical methodology, health data analytics, and developing tools to improve patient outcomes and decision-making.

Revising TCPS and the RCR Framework’s Guidance on Research involving First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities: A Status Update 

Speakers: Margaret Blakeney and Tierry M. Laforce, The Secretariat on Responsible Conduct of Research

Margaret Blakeney has been a Senior Policy Analyst with the Secretariat on Responsible Conduct of Research since 2015. Her time is divided between policy work related to the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS) and to the Tri-Agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR Framework). She previously held positions at SSHRC as a Program Officer and an Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator.

Tierry M. Laforce has been a Senior Policy Analyst with the Secretariat on Responsible Conduct of Research since 2022. His role includes interpreting the second edition of the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS), developing new ethics guidance in response to emerging issues, and familiarizing the research community with the TCPS through outreach and education. Before joining the Secretariat, he was a member of research ethics boards in both academic and healthcare settings. He also has an academic background in bioethics.

12:00 - 

1:00 p.m.

1:00 - 

2:00 p.m.

Ethics and Crowdsourcing Recruitment under TCPS 2 

Speaker: Justin M. Weinhardt, PhD, Associate Professor, Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources, Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary

Dr. Justin Weinhardt, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Haskayne School of Business and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Calgary. Justin graduated from Ohio University with a Ph.D. in I/O psychology in 2013. His research focuses on four core areas: motivation and decision-making over time, mental health in the workplace, employee training, and computational modelling. Outside of work, Justin spends his time buying too many books, attending concerts, and spending time with his dog Hazel. 

2:00 - 

2:15 p.m.

2:15 - 

3:15 p.m.

Open Science in Practice: Funder Requirements & REB Review for Data Sharing 

Speakers: Representative from Knowledge to Impact, Research Services, University of Calgary; Alexander Thistlewood, Specialist, Research Data, Research Services, University of Calgary

Alexander Thistlewood is the Research Data Management Specialist in the Research Services Office at UCalgary. Previously, he worked on the Research Data Management and Open Science files at SSHRC.