PREPARED final conference: promoting equitable science during crises
Research ethics and integrity challenges during pandemics are not unique; however, they are significantly magnified in times of crisis. It is imperative to foster preparedness by developing systems and tools that enable effective responses at all levels ahead of the next pandemic. In line with this objective, the PREPARED consortium—funded by the European Commission, UK Research and Innovation, and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation—has developed the PREPARED code, a global code of conduct for research during pandemics.
The aim of this code is to provide an ethical framework to support researchers, research ethics committees, and research integrity offices throughout a pandemic. Developed over 2.5 years by an international consortium comprising representatives from the research community, funders, policymakers, non-governmental organisations, industry, publishers, and governance bodies, the code is based on an extensive literature search conducted in nine languages, alongside empirical research. It was further refined through a human rights analysis and improved via consultations with stakeholders, including input from marginalised populations at every step.
The PREPARED code provides guidance across all biomedical and sociological disciplines and adheres to the Declaration of Helsinki, which serves as the primary source of guidance on research ethics during pandemics. It combines insights on research ethics and integrity, presented through concise statements in clear, jargon-free language. The PREPARED code complements the TRUST code and the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity, recognising that the risks of inequitable research and breaches of research integrity can escalate during a crisis. Each guidance article is linked to the core values of fairness, respect, care, and honesty.
EDCTP is a partner in the PREPARED consortium, represented by Dr Michelle Singh and Dr Thomas Nyirenda (EDCTP Association) and Dr Michael Makanga (Global Health EDCTP3).
The consortium officially launched the PREPARED code and accompanying book during their final conference at UNESCO headquarters in France from 2-4 June 2025. The book, which is open access, is relevant to researchers, ethics committee members, and research integrity offices. It examines the development of the code and provides a comprehensive resource bank, which includes the code with its 12 translations, ‘how-to’ guidelines, policy briefs, a mobile case studies app, fast-track procedures, and training materials (such as videos, interviews, and training clips).
This initiative represents a significant step toward enhancing research ethics and integrity during crises, ensuring that equitable science prevails even in the most challenging times.