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Category: HSR Fundamentals

  • Top 2026 Research Administration and Compliance Conferences

    Top 2026 Research Administration and Compliance Conferences

    Modified on March 5, 2026 to remove the “subscribe” option. This blog has been retired and replaced by the S.P.I.R.I.T. newsletter.

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    Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening, Compliance Rockstars, Clinical Research Professionals, Ethics Enthusiasts, Legal Experts, and Investigators!

    330+ subscribers and counting!

    Authored By: Tasha Mohseni

    Happy New Year and welcome to the first CREST blog post in 2026!

    It feels good to get back on the saddle and write to you all. I hope you all enjoyed the holidays with your family and loved ones.

    I wish that 2026 brings you all success, good health, and whatever you were working towards last year that will be worthwhile.

    people lighting sparklers

    For today’s article, I’d like to highlight top research administration and compliance conferences. These are events you don’t want to miss to develop professionally!

    IMPORTANT: Events within this article were included only if they were a “conference” or “annual meeting” (i.e., no other event types such as workshops or webinars).

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    As a general reminder, these are my own interpretations. Any legal information discussed within this post should be discussed with your institution.

    Table of Contents:

    Research Administration and Compliance 2026 Conferences Summary

    OrganizationAnnual Conference(s)Information Available?
    WCGMAGIYes, 2026 information is available.
    Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R)PRIM&RYes, 2026 information is available as well as a call for session proposals.
    Northwest Association for Biomedical Research (NWABR)1. IRB, IBC, & IACUC Conference

    2. Clinical Research Professional Conference

    3. CyberBIO    		Only a call for 2026 session proposals for each conference (as of 1/3/26).
    Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP)ACRPYes, 2026 information is available.
    Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA)1. Clinical Research Project/Program Management Conference

    2. Quality Management Conference

    3. FDA Clinical Trial Requirements, Regulations, Compliance and GCP Conference

    4. Pediatric Clinical Trials Conference    		No information at this time (as of 1/3/26).
    National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA)1. Annual Meeting of the Membership

    2. Financial Research Administration Conference

    3. Pre-Award Research Administration Conference    		For two conferences, 2026 information is available (as of 1/3/26).
    SCOPESCOPE 2026Yes, 2026 information is available.
    Society of Research Administrators (SRAI)1. Annual Meeting

    2. Financial Management

    3. Research Administration Conference    		Yes, 2026 information is available..

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    WCG’s MAGI Conference

    MAGI is a WCG event that connects clinical research professionals who are committed to ensuring the quality, compliance, and efficiency.

    Per the website, WCG is a partner to research sponsors, CROs, sites and participants in navigating the clinical research journey. WCG showcases their solutions in exhibit booths at various conferences. Further, they offer informative webinars (especially if you’re new to clinical research. You can view the following links below for educational materials:

    Upon review of the MAGI 2025 conference…

    • Five education tracks were offered including:
      • Budgets: learning the nuances of ensuring your site is optimized for conducting clinical trials
      • Contracts: exploring field-tested, easily implemented negotiation tools and techniques that can help maintain control, improve turnaround times, and reduce last-minute scrambles
      • Billing compliance: strengthening research billing compliance development and program oversight
      • Quality and regulatory: ensuring adherence to the regulations on research participant protections
      • Clinical operations: mastering approaches to maintaining trial quality and effective tactics for protecting participant safety and data integrity
    • You can review the 2025 agenda to view workshops within these educational tracks

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    PRIM&R Annual Conference

    The PRIM&R Conference educates those involved in research and research oversight to support and achieve the advancement of ethical, responsible, and high-quality research.

    PRIM&R is a nonprofit,โ€ฏfounded in 1974 that works to ensure the highest ethical standards in research by:

    • Providing education,
    • Membership, and
    • Other professional resources to the research and research oversight community, including those who work with:
      • Human research protections programs (HRPPs),
      • Institutional review boards (IRBs),
      • Animal care and use programs,โ€ฏand
      • Institutional animal care and use committeesโ€ฏ(IACUCs).

    Those who attend these conferences can use the session materials in preparation for the following certifications:

    Upon review of the 2025 PRIM&R Annual Conference…

    This also includes the PRIM&R Social Behavioral Educational Research Conference (SBER25). Attendees have the choice to either:

    • Attend PRIM&R 2025 only
    • Attend SBER 2025 only
    • Attend PRIM&R 2025 and SBER25

    Educational tracks range from program administration, regulation-specific topics, quality control, post approval monitoring, emerging challenges, and many more!

    You can also submit proposals to speak at PRIMR26!

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    NWABR Annual Conferences

    NWABR offers three annual conferences and is currently accepting 2026 submissions.

    NWABR is dedicated to promoting the public’s trust in ethically conducted biomedical research. You can read more about this organization here: About Us.

    IRB, IBC & IACUC Conference Series

    This conference is PERFECT if you wear multiple compliance hats or in a small HRPP.

    You can review the 2025 program to see the various topics within these compliance areas.

    Clinical Research Professional Conference Series

    This conference is for clinical research professionals who ensure the ongoing integrity of research within their institutions.

    You can review the 2025 program to see this year’s focus: quality initiatives and artificial intelligence (AI)

    CyberBIO Conference Series

    This conference includes experts across government, industry, and academia to discuss issues at the intersection of biomedical sciences and cybersecurity.

    You can review the 2025 program once it is available (as of 9/23/25).

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    ACRP Annual Conference

    ACRP is a registered charitable organization whose mission is to promote excellence in clinical research.

    Their vision ensures that clinical research is performed ethically, responsibly, and professionally everywhere in the world. 

    The ACRP 2026 website is available!

    Educational tracks for this year’s conference include:

    • Clinical operations
    • Study and site management
    • Regulatory/quality
    • Innovation and change management
    • Workforce and professional development

    Those who attend these conferences can use the session materials in preparation for certification:

    (Back to the Contents)

    SOCRA Annual Conferences

    SOCRA is a non-profit, charitable and educational membership organization incorporated in 1991 committed to providing:

    • Education,
    • Certification, and
    • Networking opportunities to all persons involved in clinical research activities.

    Those who attend these conferences can use the session materials in preparation for the following SOCRA certification:

    Clinical Research Project/Program Management Conference

    This conference is designed to introduce, affirm, or elevate your understanding of project management in the field of clinical research.

    The program will broaden the participantsโ€™ knowledge of the regulatory framework, project management, planning and accounting, and achieving successful clinical trials. For more details, you can review:

    Quality Management Conference

    This conference provides insights, practical tools, and real-life examples to navigate quality planning, control, assurance, and improvement in clinical research. 

    The event delivers vital information on developing and implementing effective quality management systems in line with FDA Regulations and ICH guidance. For more details, you can review:

    FDA Clinical Trial Requirements, Regulations, Compliance and GCP Conference

    This conference is designed to aid in the understanding of the FDA’s mission, responsibilities and authority and to facilitate interaction with FDA representatives.

    The conference will focus on:

    • FDA Clinical Research Requirements,
    • Enhancing Success through Communication, and
    • Financial Incentives, and Assuring Confidence in Clinical Research

    For more details, you can review the program’s learning objectives and 2025 agenda.

    Pediatric Clinical Trials Conference

    This conference will improve professional skills and understanding of the responsibilities of conducting clinical research in the pediatric population. 

    This program is designed to elevate attendees’ understanding and application across the:

    • Regulatory environment,
    • Informed consent and assent,
    • Recruitment and retention,
    • Feasibility,
    • Budgeting,
    • Contracting, and
    • Financial management

    For more details, you can review the program’s learning objectives and 2025 agenda.

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    NCURA Annual Conferences

    NCURA offers three annual conferences!

    NCURA is a non-profit professional society dedicated to advancing the profession of research administration through:

    • Education and professional development programs, the
    • Sharing of knowledge and experiences, and the
    • Fostering of a diverse, collegial, and respected global community. 

    Annual Meeting of the Membership

    This conference is held each year in August in Washington DC with workshops prior to the main event!

    Various tracks and sessions relate to:

    • Pre-Award,
    • Post-Award,
    • Compliance,
    • Departmental,
    • Global,
    • Predominantly Undergraduate Institutions,
    • Clinical Trials/Research, and
    • Career-Skills

    You can review the 2025 program schedule for specifics related to the conference sessions.

    Financial Research Administration Conference

    This conference is for those who work in the financial administration of research, specifically to discuss post-award issues.

    Various tracks relate to:

    • Accounting, Finance & Costing
    • Clinical/Medical
    • Financial Compliance/Audit
    • PUI
    • AI/Data/ERA/Systems
    • Departmental
    • Global
    • Workforce, Wellness & Resilience
    • Career Development
    • Federal
    • Pre-Award for Finance

    You can review the 2026 program information here.

    Pre-Award Research Administration Conference

    This conference complements the conference mentioned above; however, pre-award issues are discussed.

    Various tracks relate to:

    • Clinical/Medical/Industry
    • Departmental
    • Professional Development
    • Sponsors: Federal & Non-profits
    • AI/Data/ERA/Systems
    • Finance for Pre-Award
    • Proposal/Research Development
    • Compliance
    • Global
    • PUI

    You can review 2026 program information here.

    (Back to the Contents)

    SCOPE Annual Conference

    The SCOPE 2026 website is available and proposals are being accepted!

    Though an official schedule isn’t posted, the event brochure highlights the following educational tracks:

    • Trial design and protocol development
    • Feasibility and site selection
    • Recruitment and engagement

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    SRAI Annual Conferences

    SRAI provides research administrators globally with the knowledge, resources, and community they need to excel, collaborate, and drive impactful research.

    Directly from the website, this organization is the only research management society in the world whose membership spans the entire spectrum of research institutions, including:

    • For-profit entities involved in research and development
    • Public and private colleges and universities
    • Research hospitals and institutes
    • Charitable and research-focused nonprofits
    • Federal, state, and local government bodies engaged in research

    Annual Meeting

    Folks who attend the SRAI 2026 conference will gain fresh perspectives on timely topics from the world’s leading research administration experts.

    Educational tracks include:

    • Financial and Post-Award Administration
    • Management and Operations
    • Professional Development
    • Research Impact and Communications
    • Research Ethics and Compliance
    • Research Law and Regulations
    • Sponsors and Agencies
    • Sponsored Programs Planning, Development and Deliveries
    • Technology Solutions in Research Administration

    Financial Management Conference

    The Financial Management Conference is a virtual professional development event focused on financial and post-award management in research administration.

    This year’s tracks include:

    • Grant accounting
    • Departmental administration finance
    • Non-financial post-award
    • Financial leadership
    • Advance finance topics

    Research Administration Conference

    The Research Administration Conference offers one yearโ€™s worth of online training in three days, with the flexibility to create your own schedule.

    This year’s tracks include:

    • Professional development
    • Pre-award
    • Contract and law
    • Compliance and ethics
    • Financial and cost accounting

    (Back to the Contents)

    I hope you found this article informative!

  • Best Podcasts for Staying Ahead in Research, Compliance, and Administration

    Best Podcasts for Staying Ahead in Research, Compliance, and Administration

    Modified on March 5, 2026 to remove the “subscribe” option. This blog has been retired and replaced by the S.P.I.R.I.T. newsletter.

    Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening, Compliance Rockstars, Clinical Research Professionals, Ethics Enthusiasts, and Investigators! 270+ blog subscribers and counting!

    It makes me ecstatic to see more and more folks subscribing to the blog! I’m happy that this blog is a useful resource to you all. I aim to continue to provide meaningful, unique content. As I mentioned before, I love to explain complex topics in a simpler format. Speaking of learning and reinforcing concepts:

    To solidify a concept, I like to see the content in various mediums (e.g., text, audio, visual).

    Podcasts can be an excellent learning tool! Whether you are reinforcing concepts or would like to learn something new, podcasts can aid in this. If you love learning on the go, then this post is for you!

    In this post, I will list the best podcasts for staying up to date on research, compliance, and administration.

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    As a general reminder, these are my own interpretations. Any legal information discussed within this post should be discussed with your institution.

    Let’s learn about these top-notch podcasts! Please note that these aren’t listed in any particular order.

    Is there a podcast that you feel fits into this category that I didn’t mention? Please leave a comment below for myself and the community!

    PRIM&R Research Ethics Reimagined

    The โ€œResearch Ethics Reimaginedโ€ podcast was created by Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R), hosted by Ivy R. Tillman, PRIM&R’s executive director. 

    Per the description, PRIM&R speaks with scientists, researchers, bioethicists, and some of the leading minds exploring new frontiers of science.

    For each podcast discussed in this post, I plan to list my TOP THREE episodes you should tune into.

    These are based on my interests. I strongly encourage you to explore all episodes.

    If you have a favorite episode that wasn’t on my list, PLEASE leave a comment below. I’d love to hear why it’s your favorite and what you learned!

    This goes for all podcasts discussed in this post.

    Tasha’s TOP THREE:

    1. Research with AI by Mary L. Gray
    2. Research Ethics Across Domains with Nicholas Proferes, PhD, Sarah Gilbert, PhD, and Kyle Pittman, MPA
    3. Ethics in Orbit with Rachael Dempsey

    Random Musings From The Clinical Trials Guru

    Dan Sfera aka “The Clinical Trials Guru” shares his thoughts on the clinical research industry, business, entrepreneurship, sports and really just about anything he feels like at the moment.

    I absolutely love to follow Dan on LinkedIn. He offers extraordinary insights to the clinical research community. You can also check out the following resources related to Dan’s work:

    Tasha’s TOP THREE:

    1. Common Traits for Clinical Research Patient Recruiters
    2. She Attended My Conference. One Year Later, She’s a Site Owner!
    3. Mastering Your Clinical Research Resume with Ashley Margo

    On Research with CITI Program

    This podcast discusses issues that impact scientific research monthly, from clinical research to ethical considerations. Hosted by Alexa McClellan. 

    There is a new episode each month. CITI Program’s blog also provides insights to their podcast episodes by breaking down the episode by podcast chapters and providing transcripts (example below):

    • Engaging with Online Communities: Ethical Considerations for Researchers (episode)
    • Engaging with Online Communities: Ethical Considerations for Researchers (blog)

    Tasha’s TOP THREE:

    1. Research Site Operations
    2. The Evolution of IRBs: Navigating Ethical Considerations in Research
    3. Dual Use Research of Concern Policy

    On Tech Ethics with CITI Program

    This podcast discusses a broad range of technology ethics topics. Hosted by Daniel Smith.

    There is a new episode each month. CITI Program’s blog also provides insights to their podcast episodes by breaking down the episode by podcast chapters and providing transcripts (example below):

    • Integrating AI into Healthcare Delivery (episode)
    • Integrating AI into Healthcare Delivery (blog)

    Tasha’s TOP THREE:

    1. Privacy and Ethical Considerations for Extended Reality Settings
    2. Understanding the Research Security Training Requirements
    3. 3Rs Technologies in Animal Research

    On Campus with CITI Program

    This podcast discusses issues that impact higher education institutions. Hosted by Ed Butch.

    There is a new episode each month. CITI Program’s blog also provides insights to their podcast episodes by breaking down the episode by podcast chapters and providing transcripts (example below):

    • Professional Development: A Conversation about Career Transitions (episode)
    • Professional Development: A Conversation about Career Transitions (blog)

    Tasha’s TOP THREE:

    1. Student Mentorship
    2. Evaluating and Awarding Credits for Prior Learning
    3. Human-Centered Learning: The Power of Design Thinking in Higher Ed

    SRAI’s Shop Talk

    By the Society of Research Administrators International: Shop Talk, this podcast spotlights research administration professionals across diverse institutions.

    This podcast dives into the intricacies of pre-award, post-award, compliance, communications, and all the essential elements in between. You can tune in on the last Thursday of every month for insightful discussions and expert insights for research administrators across the globe. The SRAI blog is also an excellent resource to deep dive into the complexities of research administration.

    Though I haven’t personally checked out this podcast yet, these are my TOP THREE episodes I would check out first:

    1. Meet a Principal Investigator
    2. Exploring Research Integrity
    3. International Research Collaboration

    SCCE and HCCA Compliance Perspectives

    This podcast covers ethics and compliance-related topics and addresses issues ranging from FCPA to HIPAA to helplines. 

    Though I haven’t had the pleasure of listening to this podcast yet, I like how the episodes are succinct. If you’ve heard of the phrase, “Big things come in small packages”, this certainly applies! If you have a short attention span (which I tend to have at times), then this podcast is for you! Here are my TOP THREE episodes I plan to check out first:

    1. Kasturi Venkatesh on Conflicts of Interest
    2. Alec Burlakoff on Preventing Fraud
    3. Sarah Hadden on Compliance Officer Stress and Burnout

    The Lab Coats & Life Podcast

    This podcast is dedicated to helping scientists thrive. Brought to you by STEMCELL Technologies.

    On their website, you can find excellent educational resources. With respect to podcasts, you can find summaries and video recordings of each episode here: Podcasts

    Tasha’s TOP THREE:

    1. “To postdoc or not to postdoc?” Featuring Dr. Jennifer Polk
    2. “How to Keep on Top of New Technologies For Your Research” Featuring Dr. Caroline Hookway
    3. “How to Effectively Communicate Your Research” Featuring Tamara Poles

    From where does it STEM?

    JP Flores sets out to capture stories of resilience, scientific journeys, and inspiration that have built and shaped many diverse scientists.

    I appreciate that this podcast strives to celebrate scientists. I haven’t had the opportunity to listen to this podcast yet, but these are the TOP THREE I am striving to check out first:

    1. “What Makes a Good Scientist? Dr. Roshni Patel & Dr. Rachel Ungar
    2. “Rethinking How We Teach Science: Dr. Bryan Dewsbury
    3. Making Waves in Science, Science Communication, and Representation: Jaida Elcock

    Advarra In Conversations With …

    Advarra speaks with leading experts to dig into pressing issues and explore solutions within research and clinical trials.

    Advarra has a plethora of resources ranging from their blog to on-demand webinars. This was my go-to podcast when I first started in compliance trying to learn the ropes. Though they haven’t had any recent episodes, I still find the information useful!

    Tasha’s TOP THREE:

    1. James Riddle and Luke Gelinas Explore Digital Health and Regulation
    2. James Riddle and Barbara Schneider Delve into the Different Players Involved in Reviewing Clinical Research
    3. Let’s Get Ethical

    I hope you find these podcasts interesting and useful in your daily professional (and personal) lives!

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  • Top Tips for Medical Writing vs. Scientific Writing

    Top Tips for Medical Writing vs. Scientific Writing

    Modified on March 5, 2026 to remove the “subscribe” option. This blog has been retired and replaced by the S.P.I.R.I.T. newsletter.

    Authored/ Reviewed by Tasha Mohseni

    Contribution by Adnan Shaikh

    Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening Compliance Rockstars, Clinical Researchers, Ethics Educators, and Investigators from around the globe!

    I hope you are doing well! I can’t believe we are already in February 2025. It feels like just yesterday I was celebrating New Years Eve with my loved ones.

    In this post, I plan to define medical writing versus scientific writing. Then, Adnan will end the post with helpful tips for both medical and scientific writing.

    I would like to thank Adnan Shaikh for his willingness to contribute to this post!

    Let’s get ready to learn! As a general reminder, these are our own interpretations. Any legal information discussed within this post should be discussed with your institution.

    What is medical writing?

    Medical writing can be defined as the process of creating scientific and clinical documents related to:

    • Healthcare,
    • Medicine, and
    • Life sciences

    This type of writing typically yields the following types of content:

    • Regulatory documentation,
    • Research publications,
    • Educational materials related to healthcare, medicine, and life sciences, and
    • Promotional content for healthcare professionals and patients

    To be a successful medical writer, it is recommended to acquire skills in:

    • Understanding of medical and scientific concepts
    • Strong writing and communication skills
    • Ability to interpret and summarize complex data
    • Knowledge of regulatory guidelines (e.g., FDA)
    • Proficiency in literature searching and referencing

    What is scientific writing?

    Scientific writing is the structured dissemination of research findings, theories, and technical information in a clear and objective manner. This type of writing is commonly used in the following fields:

    • Academia,
    • Medical field, and
    • Technical fields (e.g., engineering)

    When I think about scientific writing, not only do I think about research publications I also think about research documentation.

    What do I mean by “research documentation”?

    Well, I mean your research protocol! To be a strong scientific writer, it is essential to:

    • Explain complex ideas in a concise format
    • Avoid technical jargon (i.e., write in a way that anyone who is not in your field would understand)
    • Use credible references to support your hypothesis
    • Let graphics and tables enhance the “research story” you’re trying to tell

    Is there truly a difference between these writing styles?

    To be honest here, I would say that I am well versed in scientific writing. I had to do some research and learn about what is considered medical writing. Even though I explained the differences here, if you’re scratching your head right now you maybe wondering…

    Tasha, there’s so much overlap. Aren’t these pretty much the same thing?

    I was feeling the same way! Even when I was doing my research on what constitutes medical writing, scientific writing would often appear! Therefore, I decided to go to my old friend, ChatGPT. First, I prompted ChatGPT to create a Venn diagram of medical writing versus scientific writing.

    For those who may not know, a Venn diagram is an illustration of two overlapping circles comparing two topics. In the area where the circles intersect, these are similarities between the two topics. Outside of the circle overlap, are the differences between the two topics.

    Below is the result from ChatGPT:

    Venn diagram comparing medical writing to scientific writing created by ChatGPT

    Though I technically haven’t done medical writing, I can see the significant overlap with scientific writing! It makes sense to me now why when I was researching medical writing, scientific writing often popped up.

    Next, I prompted ChatGPT to put this into a table for comparison:

    Tabular comparison of medical writing versus scientific writing created by ChatGPT

    What I love about this table even more than the Venn diagram is how ChatGPT defined these writing styles based on:

    • Content
    • Sentence structure
    • Audience

    I feel these components are so important! I almost wished I started out knowing this comparison.

    I wouldn’t have driven myself bonkers trying to figure it out for myself!

    Now that we have a better understanding of this, let’s see what top tips Adnan has to offer us!

    Top tips for medical writing

    Hello researchers, I am glad to be here once again. I’m excited to share my top tips for successful medical writing!

    Remember to rely on the following organizations below : 

    These associations provide many informational resources for professionals or novice learners, such as books and webinars. These materials will guide you on your journey to improve your medical writing skills. They will also help in understanding novel approaches in this field. 

    Other essential key skills for medical writing are:

    • Proficiency in the English language,
    • Ability to simplify medical and scientific terminologies,
    • Knowledge of clinical research, regulatory bodies, and ICH GCP Guidelines,
    • Proofreading of the content,
    • Ability to interpret complex research content, and
    • Knowledge of statistics

    I recommend writing in a daily gratitude journal and to connect with other seasoned medical writers. With knowledge sharing and daily practice, you will be on your way to mastering this skill!

    One bonus tip I’d like to offer is to complete an internship or get training by the organizations mentioned above. Whether you’re experienced or new to the field, these top tips will mold you to become a better medical writer.

    Top tips for scientific writing

    Scientific writing is completed by researchers from various backgrounds. Completing an academic project within my PharmD program provided the exposure I needed to grow in this area. You can review my publications here as a sample of scientific writing:

    1. Pemphigus Vulgaris: An Overview
    2. An Observational Prospective Study on Drugs Utilization Pattern in Cardiovascular Diseases at a Tertiary Care Hospital

    Once you’ve reviewed my work, take a look to see how I applied my top tips for scientific writing:

    The Do’sThe “Don’t”s
    1. Find gaps in published literature that could lead to your research question.
    2. Prepare content simultaneously. While conducting your literature search, use this time to also list your references.
    3. Use active and passive appropriately.
    4. Define abbreviations and acronyms when first introducing them in your paper.
    5. Always read the journal authors’ instructions in depth. This is to ensure your work is suitable for the journal of interest.    		1. Avoid filler words such as “like” or “you know”.
    2. Avoid using the same word repetitively; this often happens with transition words.
    3. Avoid directly copying and pasting as this leads to plagiarism. Further, if Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools were used to generate your content, you must credit this tool in your paper.
    4. Avoid errors by ALWAYS proofreading your content before submitting to the journal for review.

    Always remember that practice makes perfect! I’d like to express gratitude to Tasha for providing me this space to showcase my ideas and thought with you.

    We hope you found this post insightful!