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Education

The Northwestern University IRB Office Education Team supports the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) community through training, outreach, and opportunities for shared learning. Our educational offerings are designed to build regulatory knowledge and to foster dialogue, collaboration and learning among researchers and research professionals across Northwestern University and its affiliates.

Explore IRB education and engagement opportunities designed to strengthen human research protections and support the Northwestern HRPP community.

IRB Brown Bag

The IRB Office hosts a monthly Brown Bag session highlighting current and impactful topics in human research protections. 

  • Explore presentation materials on the  IRB Brown Bag Page. 
  • Find registration details for upcoming sessions on the Events page and in the current issue of the IRB Bulletin on the News page.

Have an idea for a future IRB Brown Bag?

IRB Courses

The IRB Office offers introductory and advanced educational resources in Northwestern University's MyHR Learn. These courses provide essential guidance for researchers and staff at all levels to strengthen understanding of human research protections and IRB processes.

  • Visit our IRB Courses page to explore available courses.

Human Research Protections Training

All individuals engaged in human research at Northwestern University must complete Human Research Protections Training and renew it every three years. This training establishes core knowledge of ethical principles, IRB requirements, and participant protections.

Special Event Training

The IRB Office partners with departments, programs, and research teams to deliver live, tailored education for special events.

Optional CITI Course: Software as a Medical Device & CDSS

Northwestern-affiliated researchers with a valid NetID may access the optional CITI course Essentials of Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) & Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS).

Essentials of Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) & Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS).

Note: This course does not meet the Northwestern University Human Research Protections Training requirement.

Topics covered include identifying SaMD and CDSS, regulatory obligations, AI/ML and combination device considerations, key design and development factors, and investigator responsibilities.

Recommended for investigators and teams developing or using digital health technologies, medical software-based interventions, or  clinician-researchers using artificial intelligence (AI) / machine learning (ML)-enabled or decision support tools, and those involved in device trials with software components.

To add this course in CITI:

  1. Log in via “Log in Through My Organization” and select Northwestern University.
  2. Under Learner Tools, click “Add a Course.”
  3. Scroll to Question 11 and select: “Essentials of Software as a Medical Device & Clinical Decision Support Systems”

Stay Informed: IRB Bulletin

The IRB Office publishes a monthly IRB Bulletin to keep the Northwestern research community informed and connected. Each issue includes news, announcements, educational content, updated tools and resources, staff highlights, and other updates from the IRB Office.