On-Campus Research Ramp Up Planning Committee - 5/21

Dear Teachers College Researchers and Personnel:

As you know, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created significant campus changes. Your research labs and centers have been on pause, and we all braced for short and long-term COVID-19 disruptions. Some of you have transitioned in-person data collection to online platforms, while others have paused in-person data collection indefinitely.

Due to COVID-19, all research-related activities taking place on campus in-person at Teachers College are still suspended.

However, we are all aware that some research studies cannot sustain long-term in-person data collection suspensions. For many researchers a key concern is fulfilling commitments (e.g., pursuit of knowledge, publications, grants, tenure, graduation, etc.).

We are writing as Co-Chairs of the newly-formed Teachers College Research Ramp-Up Task Force, to let you know about the aims of the Task Force and upcoming plans. We aim to respond to the needs of researchers while minimizing risk to participants and staff.

Co-Chairs:
Dr. Karen Froud, Institutional Review Board (IRB) Chair, Associate Professor of Neuroscience & Education
Dr. Myra Luna Lucero, Research Compliance Manager

Members:
Dr. Stephanie Rowley, Provost
JoAnne Williams, Vice President for Finance and Administration
Katie Schmitt, Director of Special Projects
Paul Kran, Office of Sponsored Programs Director
John Olsen, Maintenance Project Manager, Facilities

The goal of the Task Force is to harness content-specific expertise and establish a plan for in-person research ramp-up at Teachers College with different phases that permit occupancy to be scaled depending on the scenario, personnel, and study site. Each phase should be adaptable as appropriate for the circumstances pertaining to specific research groups and risk levels.

As the Teachers College Research Ramp-Up Task Force, we will:

• Consider the safety and health of research participants, including research subjects, investigators, staff, and students as our main concern
• Remain accountable to the research community at Teachers College
• Keep open channels of communication to disseminate information in a timely and consistent manner
• Develop guides, policies, and procedures with an eye to their feasibility and accessibility 
• Strive to develop approaches that are fair and flexible, and remain responsive to the uncertainties inherent in our current situation and the need for guidance and clarity
• Make evidence-based and data-driven decisions, based on information from reputable, expert sources and from the needs and experiences of our researchers 
• Operate on the tenets of the Belmont Report, instantiating respect, beneficence, and justice for all research subjects, investigators, staff and students
• Recognize limitations and unknown factors
• Acknowledge that decisions may change due to new or relevant information

At present, we are gathering data to determine the scope of our initiatives. We are not lifting any in-person data collection suspensions. All in-person, research-related activities will remain suspended, until further notice.

The timeline for a return to in-person research remains unclear, though the “Safer-at-Home” mandate is current through August 1, 2020. We recognize anything can happen between now and August. However, we are using the August date as a marker to implement guidelines for an initial In-Person Research Ramp-Up phase.

We aim to support researchers through the many hurdles in preparation for eventual in-person data collection. Changes or guidelines to in-person data collection will follow an iterative process. Each phase will require a feedback period as we refine and scale-up researcher guidelines. In other words, no changes will be made in haste and your patience through this process is essential. We are taking care to weigh decisions and assess risks for both researchers and research participants. In addition to our Task Force members, we are also consulting with campus staff and researchers familiar with safety and public health.

IMMEDIATE GOALS

These broad goals are subject to change. We aim to:Determine best practices for maintaining the health and safety of all research participants as we undertake a return to research on campus

Develop guidelines and requirements for ramping up in-person research

Identify practical ways and means for researchers to comply with in-person data collection guidelines (such as training, certifications, access to materials, oversight, consultation)

Establish iterative phases with different densities of occupancy of research buildings, based on public health data
Act, alongside the Institutional Review Board, as the primary point of contact for assistance, guidance, and support concerning the research ramp-up process, regulatory and administrative guidance, and inquiries about research status

IN SUMMARY

We will inform the TC Research Community of our progress through email updates or postings on the “Updates” section of the TC IRB’s website.

We wish to acknowledge that even though halting research on campus constituted an unprecedented professional challenge to our ongoing work, we have heard many accounts of creativity and persistence that mean our research has been able to continue in many different forms. We thank you for your remarkable flexibility and perseverance, and wish you all continued health, safety, and productivity.

Best regards –

Dr. Karen Froud
Dr. Myra Luna Lucero