The first online training session of the CHANGER Project, titled Electronic Informed Consent in Research, was successfully held on 4 May 2026, bringing together experts and members of Research Ethics Committees from across Europe.

The training addressed key ethical, legal, and practical challenges related to the use of electronic informed consent (eConsent) in contemporary research environments. Participants explored how digital tools and emerging technologies are transforming informed consent procedures, while also raising important questions regarding autonomy, accessibility, data protection, transparency, and participant understanding.

The session formed part of CHANGER’s broader effort to strengthen ethics review practices and support ethics-by-design approaches in research and innovation. The training also contributed to the project’s objective of equipping ethics review experts with practical knowledge and tools to address challenges arising from evolving research practices and new technologies.

The event featured expert presentations, interactive discussions, and case-based reflections on the implementation and evaluation of eConsent processes in research settings. Participants exchanged experiences and perspectives on ensuring meaningful informed consent in increasingly digital and data-driven research environments.

The recording of the training session is now available online, together with the presentations delivered by the speakers:

• Watch the training video: https://youtu.be/FeGu_lCeXC4
• Download the presentations: Definition and main requirements of informed consent, Legal landscape: EU regulations, Ethical landscape: challenges and solutions, Case presentation

The CHANGER Team would like to warmly thank all speakers and participants for their valuable contributions and active engagement.

The project will continue its training activities with the upcoming online training “Gene Editing in Research”, taking place on 8 June 2026. The training will explore ethical, legal, and societal challenges associated with gene editing technologies and their application in research contexts. More information and registration details are available here.

For more information about CHANGER training activities, follow the project on social media and subscribe to our newsletter!