Grant: Doctoral Award - Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarships

Canadian biomedical researchers participate in significant international collaborations, increasingly with research partners in low- or middle-income countries. These research partnerships produce data, materials and/or products at faster rates than ever before. How these research outputs are managed and who has access to use them is becoming a research problem on its own. Countries like Canada have enough money and expertise to use research outputs easily, while developing countries often do not have the necessary resources or capacity to use the research outputs that they have helped generate. This can lead to issues of global impact in resource sharing and collaborations, as richer countries receive more of the benefits from the research. This study will focus on: 1) identifying proven ways to promote communication and trust between Canada and partners in low-and middle-income countries, and 2) how to manage the sharing and use of research outputs in a fair and equitable manner. Specific cases of biomedical research collaborations that include Canada and low-or middle-income countries and the generation of data and materials will be examined. I will collect information from researchers, funders, policy makers, non-governmental organizations, industry and representatives from patient and community groups. By analyzing sharing policies and collaborations from a variety of viewpoints, Canadian and international researchers will be provided with guidance on what conditions will likely lead to improved research relationships. The overall aim of this project is to a create systems for sharing research outputs that ensure fair access, and increase the potential of biomedical research to impact the lives of Canadians and others globally.