Ways to Get Involved
From conferences to committees to online content, our programming wouldn’t function without your support. Volunteering with PRIM&R is a great way to get involved and be a leader in the research ethics community. Some volunteer commitments are large, others small, but all are vital to our shared mission. Below you'll find a list of our current volunteer opportunities.
Blog Guest Author
Draft a guest post for our blog, Ampersand, about a topic of your choice that's in alignment with PRIM&R's mission. For example, you might write about your work or share practical tips and tools with our community. Blog posts are typically 400–1,000 words and are usually written in a casual style.
PRIMR25/SBER25 Call for Session Proposals Program
PRIM&R's Call for Session Proposal Program is an opportunity to contribute session ideas for our annual meeting. Proposals should be on topics of interest to our broad audience or be geared toward a specific audience (e.g., IRB, IACUC, IBC, or institutional leaders) or focused on topics that span the research program (e.g., shared oversight challenges, challenges to ethics/trustworthiness in research, emerging technologies, translation, etc.).
All ideas will be considered, but we’re especially seeking proposals that focus on:
- Topics that pertain to both human and nonhuman animal research programs and would be of interest to HRPP/IRB, ACU/IACUC, and/or IBC personnel (e.g., shared oversight challenges, challenges to ethics/trustworthiness in research, emerging technologies, translation, etc.)
- COI, export control, RCR, and accessibility (documents, online systems, etc.)
- SBER issues/challenges/etc.
- Advancing equity and justice in research
- Enhancing trust and trustworthiness in research
- Clinical research/research ethics
- Challenges and topics for institutional leadership/officials
- If a session was offered at PRIMR24, do not submit that as an idea. We review prior year sessions to determine which to carry over to the current year.
If you have an idea, review this webpage and contribute by February 7, 2025.
Committees
Committees are an important part of PRIM&R’s leadership. Committee seats are announced as they become open. To find out if a particular committee is accepting applicants, check out your most recent issue of PRIM&R This Week or the PRIM&R Member Newsletter. Please note, most committee calls for applicants are open near the end of each calendar year.
PRIMR25 Call for Poster Review Committee Members
PRIM&R is seeking volunteers to serve on the 2025 PRIM&R Annual Conference (PRIMR25) Poster Abstract Committee.
The Poster Abstract Committee reviews poster abstract submissions based upon innovative programs related to the successful work of research oversight and compliance programs, or empirical research on or conceptual analyses of topics or questions relevant to human subjects research protections, animal care and use/animal welfare, or “crossover” topics in research ethics (i.e., topics that span the research program as defined on this webpage).
The Poster Abstract Committee reviews poster abstract submissions based upon innovative programs related to the successful work of research oversight and compliance programs, or empirical research on or conceptual analyses of topics or questions relevant to human subjects research protections, animal care and use/animal welfare, or “crossover” topics in research ethics (i.e., topics that span the research program as defined on this webpage).
Conference Volunteers
At each of PRIM&R's annual conferences, we may seek volunteers to assist with event preparation, networking opportunities, first-time attendee orientation, and more. For more detailed information about open volunteer opportunities, vist the webpage for the conference you plan to attend.
In the past, these opportunities have included things like:
Conference greeterFirst-time attendee breakfast discussion facilitatorExhibit booth attendantWalk/run leader
In the past, these opportunities have included things like:
Conference greeterFirst-time attendee breakfast discussion facilitatorExhibit booth attendantWalk/run leader
Member Interview Author
We want to learn more about our dedicated members' experiences in the field. If you are interested in sharing your story with the PRIM&R community, please send us an email and we will send you a member interview to complete. Your responses, as well as a headshot and a brief bio, will be posted on our blog, Ampersand.
Estimated time commitment: One to two hours to complete interview
Estimated time commitment: One to two hours to complete interview
Mentoring Program Mentors (Members Only)
Provide advice and guidance to, and share knowledge with, colleagues in the field of human or animal research oversight. Help prepare the next generation of leaders or collaborate with another PRIM&R member in a similar professional role by joining our Mentoring Program. Start by filling out our Mentoring Program survey to identify your personal areas of interest, institution type, and goals for the future. Based on this information, PRIM&R staff will match you with another member from our community.
Estimated time commitment: One to three hours per month
Estimated time commitment: One to three hours per month
PRIM&R Member Digest Contributor (Members Only)
Submit book or article reviews, informative features, or professional milestones for publication in our monthly PRIM&R Member Digest Newsletter. Feature articles should be no more than 500 words and present information that may be of interest to PRIM&R members. Please note: articles must be submitted by the first Friday of each month in order to be considered publication for that month’s newsletter. Interested? Contact us to discuss article ideas.
Estimated time commitment: Two to three hours per contribution
Estimated time commitment: Two to three hours per contribution
Regional Connections Host
Plan and execute a networking event with PRIM&R Regional Connections to collaborate with colleagues who work nearby. Past events have included networking receptions, book groups, short lectures, and policy discussions. PRIM&R offers funding, from $250-$1000, to help defray the cost of these events, and will work with you throughout the planning process. Learn more on our Regional Connections page.
Estimated time commitment: One to four months of planning, preparation, and follow-up, in addition to hosting the event itself
Estimated time commitment: One to four months of planning, preparation, and follow-up, in addition to hosting the event itself
Resource Submissions (Members Only)
Share the resources you use every day to help other research ethics professionals do their jobs more effectively! Post tools, templates, worksheets, checklists, flowcharts, forms, and standard operating procedures from your institution to PRIM&R's Resource Library.
To submit content for consideration fill out this form.
Estimated time commitment: Half an hour per submission
To submit content for consideration fill out this form.
Estimated time commitment: Half an hour per submission