A Short Course on
Racial and Ethnic Minorities as Research Subjects
Challenges for Research Ethics

APPLICATION FORM

AGENDA FOR SESSION 1, October 20-22

AGENDA FOR SESSION 2, December 1-3

AGENDA FOR SESSION 3, March 16-18

AGENDA FOR SESSION 4, May 17-20

AAAS
1200 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20005
shortcourse@aaas.org

APPLICATION FORM

Do your research, teaching or administrative activities involve or address human subjects research? If so, then you are invited to apply for a short course on ethical issues associated with the participation of racial and ethnic minorities as research subjects. Some topics to be covered in the course include: theoretical frameworks for understanding the concepts of race and ethnicity; issues affecting recruitment and retention; issues associated with international, cross-cultural research; practical skills for securing informed consent and working with interpreters; and analysis of justice questions relating to the history of the treatment of racial and ethnic minority research subjects. Participants will be expected to implement course concepts at their home institutions

The first three sessions of the course will be held in the Washington, DC area, while the final session will convene at Tuskegee University. The dates for the four course sessions are as follows: October 20-22, 2000; December 1-3, 2000; March 16-18, 2001; and May 18-20, 2001. Each session will begin early on Friday and conclude by 3:00pm on Sunday.

Participants will have their on-site expenses covered, but will be expected to cover their travel costs to each session. A limited amount of travel funds will be available to assist those participants unable to cover all their transportation costs. The course is sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Tuskegee University, and the University of Wisconsin, and funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Applicant Statement

Each applicant must submit a statement of his/her reasons for applying to the short course. The statement should describe the applicant's current research interests or professional responsibilities related to human subjects, and what he/she hopes to gain from the course, including how the experience will be used at his/her home institution. The statement should be double-spaced and not exceed 1,000 words.

Supporting Materials

• Curriculum Vitae or Resume (enclose with application form)
• Letters of Reference

All applicants must provide letters of reference from two persons who can address both the applicant's professional competence and personal qualities that make him/her especially qualified to participate in the short course. One of the references should be from the applicant's supervisor at his/her current position. The applicant is responsible for soliciting the required letters and ensuring that they are mailed directly to AAAS to arrive by the application deadline.

Each letter of reference should address the following:

• The reference's relationship to the applicant
• The professional accomplishments and relative standing of the applicant among his/her peers
• The applicant's maturity and judgment
• The applicant's responsibilities related to human subjects research

The letter from the applicant's supervisor should also discuss:

• How the applicant's participation in the short course fits into the institution's research and education programs and priorities

All application materials and letters of reference should be sent to Sanyin Siang, Scientific Freedom, Responsibility and Law Program, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1200 New York Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20005; Fax 202.289.4950; Email shortcourse@aaas.org. A self-addressed, stamped envelope should be included if the applicant wants acknowledgement of the receipt of the application. Applicants will be notified of a final decision by June 15, 2000