Get Involved

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 300–500 words and are usually written in a casual style. For more information on guest blogging, please take a look at our guest blogging procedure and our guest blogging agreement.

Estimated time commitment: Three to four hours per contribution

 Be part of a team of dedicated PRIM&R members who help share insights from our conferences, short-course programming, and webinars throughout the year. As a PRIM&R Blog Squad member, you will receive complimentary registration for the courses or programs you selected during the application process.

Blog Squad members can apply to cover conferences, short-courses, or webinars. Conference and short course Blog Squad members compose a series of blog posts before, during, and after the event by responding to a set of prompts. Webinar Blog Squad members compose a blog post after attending a PRIM&R webinar to highlight a particular concept, issue, or topic of interest raised during the program. The PRIM&R staff then edit the contribution(s) and publish them on Ampersand, PRIM&R's blog.

For more information on the PRIM&R Blog Squad and how to apply, visit the Blog Squad page.

Estimated time commitment: One to two hours per blog post, in addition to time required to attend the event

PRIM&R hosts a poster program at each of our annual conferecnes highlighting scientific or programmatic posters and promoting interdisciplinary sharing and collaboration, and the exchange of ideas, information, and practical strategies for managing the many challenges faced by research professionals. We invite those conducting empirical research in the fields of human subjects protections and animal care and use, or those who have implemented a program to improve the functioning of their institution's research review committe to submit abstracts.

For more information on submitting a poster abstract, please visit the conference web page for the event at which you’re interested in presenting a poster.

*All poster abstract submissions will be considered for the Pillars of PRIM&R Outstanding Poster Award. Poster authors may also have the opportunity to share their research/program on PRIM&R's blog.

Estimated time commitment: Three to four hours to prepare the initial abstract, plus the actual presentation time at the conference if your abstract is selected by the planning committee

PRIM&R periodically solicits proposals from the community for in-person and online programs. These include calls for:

Conference Session Proposals

Contribute session ideas for consideration by the conference planning committees for inclusion on the annual conference agendas. For more information on submitting a session proposal, visit the conference web page for the event at which you’re interested in presenting a session. Applications are available six to nine months before each conference, and submissions must be received by the deadline listed in order to be considered.

Estimated time commitment: Two to three hours per contribution, plus the actual presentation time at the conference if your proposal is selected by the planning committee

Webinar Proposals

PRIM&R offers approximately 12 webinars per year on a range of topics in the research ethics field. Each year, we solicit proposals for webinars on intermediate- and advanced-level topics of interest to those who work in human subjects protections and animal care and use. We invite you to help us develop these webinars by submitting to the Call for Webinar Proposals. Whether you are a veteran presenter for PRIM&R, a past webinar attendee, or new to PRIM&R or the field, we want to hear from you!

Estimated time commitment: Submit a proposal (1-2 hours), and if selected, the time it would take for you to prepare your presentation (variable), participate in three planning calls (3-4 hours), and present the webinar (2 hours)

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.

Diversity Advisory Group Member 

The Diversity Advisory Group is a volunteer body that advises the PRIM&R staff on strategies for fostering a diverse membership community and works to raise the profile of diversity as an issue that matters to the broader research oversight field. This advisory group is tasked with:

• Participating in approximately four conference calls per year
• Working with staff throughout the year to develop policies and initiatives that support the growth and development of PRIM&R's diversity efforts
• Attending diversity-related sessions and events at conferences

Estimated time commitment: One to three hours per month

Membership Committee Member 

The Membership Committee, a programmatic committee of PRIM&R’s Board of Directors, is charged with cultivating leaders from within the membership. Committee members participate in conference calls, meet up at PRIM&R conferences, and correspond via email throughout the year to strategize ways to improve member benefits and grow the membership community. In addition, committee members agree to:

• Complete a three-year term
• Participate in approximately six conference calls per year
• Work with staff to develop policies and initiatives that support the growth and development of PRIM&R’s membership
• Attend membership-related events at conferences
• Review applications for PRIM&R’s Regional Connections Program

Estimated time commitment: One to three hours per month

If you have a question, please contact the membership team at membership@primr.org.

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 greeter
• First-time attendee breakfast discussion facilitator
• Exhibit booth attendant
• Walk/run leader

We're looking to expand and diversify the list of volunteers we call on to help develop and present PRIM&R's educational programs. If you would like to be more involved with PRIM&R and have ideas for programs you'd like to see PRIM&R offer, and/or enjoy teaching, let us know! We'd love to hear from seasoned experts, young professionals, and emerging leaders. We're currently especially interested in expanding our roster of animal care and use professionals.

 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

 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

 Submit book or article reviews, informative features, or professional milestones for publication in our monthly PRIM&R Member 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

 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

Share the resources you use every day to help other research ethics professionals do their jobs more effectively! Submissions are accepted in the following categories: Post tools, templates, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) from your institution to the PRIM&R Knowledge Center.

To submit content for consideration, send us an email.

Estimated time commitment: Half an hour per submission