CCBIO903 – Cancer research: Ethical, economic and social aspects (Special edition 2026)
CCBIO903 Cancer research: Ethical and social aspects, focuses on ethical and societal aspects of cancer and cancer research, and aims to equip PhD candidates with tools for systematic reflection on their own and related research, strengthening the impact of their work and improving communication with patients, collaborators, ethics committees, and grant reviewers. This time as a special edition in collaboration with the ARINA PhD course Transdisciplinarity, RRI and Radical Innovation.
Main content
Preparing for important dilemmas and prioritisation
Researchers and clinicians in the field of cancer research and care face important dilemmas daily regarding for instance the prioritisation of research questions, or the choice between treatments for a patient. The PhD course CCBIO 903 aims to give the opportunity to PhD candidates within cancer research to discuss these dilemmas. It will provide an integrated view of cancer research and clinical care from a societal and ethical perspective. It strengthens the impact of your work and improves communication with patients, collaborators, ethics committees, and grant reviewers. By critically reflecting one’s own role and responsibilities in complex transdisciplinary innovation settings, it enhances your research quality and supports confident clinical decision-making.
This version will combine elements from the ARINA course “Transdisciplinarity, RRI and Radical Innovation” with a CCBIO-tailored module. The CCBIO-specific part will build on topics from the previous CCBIO903 course, focusing on ethical and societal dimensions of cancer and cancer research. It will give tools for systematic reflection on dilemmas in cancer research and care, with a focus on the participants' individual projects, including prioritization, dealing with uncertainty, and broader questions about what constitutes “the good life” and the future of cancer research.
When - who - where - what
Dates: Course week 1: March 23–27, 2026 (ARINA part), and course week 2: April 8 and 23, 2026 (CCBIO part).
Program: will be sent to the participants. (Except for the ARINA part, which can be seen here.)
Responsible: Roger Strand, Anne Blanchard, and Karen Gissum. Any questions? Contact Karen at karen.rosnes.gissum@helse-bergen.no
ECTS: The course provides 5 ECTS and is open to PhD candidates within cancer research at the University of Bergen. Students at the Medical Student Research Programme at the UiB are also welcome. Masters degree or equivalent education level is required, with the exception of students on the Medical Student Research Program.
Capacity: 15 participants. Members of the CCBIO Research School have priority in the selection process.
Place: Location will be announced (but will be at the University of Bergen campus).
Registration:
Deadline is March 12, 2026. Please use this registration link.