This curriculum brings together a practical set of training to help teams and individuals build skills for outbreak research, preparedness and response. It is designed for a wide range of roles, from researchers and clinicians to laboratory, data, and professional services staff, so everyone involved in outbreak work can contribute confidently and consistently.
The curriculum is being developed in stages. It starts with a Foundational Curriculum made up of existing, high-quality learning modules that cover core research skills and outbreak-readiness. Later stages will add new pandemic science modules, co-created with EPSILON partners and members of this community of practice to reflect regional priorities and strengthen contextual relevance across Africa.
Learning objectives
Across the curriculum, you will strengthen your ability to:
- Understand the key elements of research implementation during outbreaks
- Apply good practice in ethics, quality, and community engagement
- Work effectively with data, documentation, and operational processes
- Contribute to stronger team performance and evidence generation during outbreaks.
Who is it for
This curriculum is for anyone involved in outbreak and pandemic-related work, including:
- Researchers and research teams (early-career to senior)
- Clinical and laboratory staff supporting outbreak investigations
- Data and surveillance teams
- Research managers and professional services teams involved in ethics, operations, and study coordination.
What you gain
By using this curriculum, learners can expect to:
- Build confidence in the essentials of outbreak-related research and response
- Strengthen quality, consistency, and ethical practice across teams
- Learn practical approaches that can be applied in real settings
- Access a growing set of resources and support linked to the wider learning community.
|
Curriculum structure Stage 1 - Foundation Curriculum Start with these courses to build the core research skills and good practice standards that support high-quality health research in any setting, including outbreaks and emergencies. Stage 2 - Pandemic Science Modules New modules will be co-designed with EPSILON partners to address priority topics in pandemic science and outbreak response, shaped by real needs and practical challenges across Africa. Stage 3 - Advanced Practice and Leadership As the curriculum expands, advanced modules will support specialised practice, cross-sector collaboration and leadership to strengthen epidemic preparedness and the use of evidence for action. |
Stage 1
Foundation courses
ICH Good Clinical Practice E6(R3)
Providing a framework of principles aiming to ensure the safety of research participants and the integrity and validity of data.
✎ 8 modules | 180 mins
🌎 English | Español | Français | Português
Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP)
Good Clinical Laboratory Practice is a multi-module course for all those wanting to gain an in-depth understanding of GCLP and how each principle of GCLP can be applied in clinical trial laboratory. Prerequisite: ICH Good Clinical Practice.
Essential Elements of Ethics
Protocol authors should address certain ethical issues in the design of studies and document their rationale in a section of the protocol that will be easily understood by review boards and investigators.
Introduction and Practical Guide to CEI
Aims to develop learners' understanding and knowledge of community engagement and involvement (CEI), supporting their ability to plan and design ethical and impactful CEI in health research.
✎ 7 modules | 14 hours
🌎 English
Children and Clinical Research
Aims to give researchers and members of ethics committees confidence in thinking through the challenges of carrying out research with children & young people.
Introduction to Data Management For Clinical Research Studies
Good data management is key to maintaining, processing, analysing and storing high-quality data. This overview is aimed at everyone involved in clinical research.
✎ 1 module | 30-40 mins
🌎 English
These courses are for strengthening operational, analytical, and management capabilities, aimed at mid-level researchers, research managers and lab & data teams.
NEW
Data and Sample Governance for Biomedical Research
This course introduces the principles and practices of data and sample governance to ensure that biomedical resources are managed ethically, legally, and effectively, while enabling their reuse for future research and innovation.
✎ 4 modules | 90 mins
🌎 English
The Data Life Cycle: Practices and Policies
Aimed at early career researchers, postgraduate students and clinical research support staff who are collecting, managing and using health data. This is an update and relaunch of the popular Data Sharing course.
✎ 6 modules | 45-60 mins
🌎 English
Tools for Scientific Dissemination
Intended to help the reader plan and execute scientific advertising activities in different formats and by targeting different audiences.