In May 2022, the influential global journal Nature published an editorial announcing some of the steps it would be taking to address exploitative research practices and ‘ethics dumping’ – jettisoning of high ethical standards when work is conducted in low-income settings.

The journal has released guidance for authors, editors and reviewers that outline expectations of research practice. This guidance recommends use of the Global Code of Conduct for Research in Resource-Poor Settings, developed by the EU-funded TRUST initiative, of which EDCTP is part. EDCTP was one of the first adopters of the Global Code, in 2018.

In addition, in September 2022, the Pro-active Pandemic Crisis Ethics and Integrity Framework (PREPARED) project was officially launched. This three-year project, funded through the EU’s Horizon Europe programme, will develop an ethics and integrity framework to support rapid and effective research during global crises.

The project builds on the insights and results from the TRUST project on equitable research partnerships. EDCTP is a partner on the project and will contribute to several of its work packages.

EDCTP is supporting global initiatives aiming to strengthen ethical frameworks for research in resource-poor settings.