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 connection 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.
Our offerings include human research protections CITI training, online self-paced courses, and live sessions that encourage discussion, questions, and shared learning with fellow research community members.
IRB Brown Bag
The IRB Office hosts a monthly Brown Bag session highlighting current and impactful topics in human research protections. These sessions create a space for learning, discussion, and connection across the research community, and registration is open to all members of the Northwestern University HRPP community.
Presenters across HRPP are invited to share their expertise and engage directly with attendees. Whether you are new to human research or experienced in the field, Brown Bags offer a space to stay informed and engage with colleagues across Northwestern.
- View 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.
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, including:
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.
Detailed instructions and troubleshooting are available on the Human Research Protections Training page.
Northwestern University and Northwestern University-affiliated Researchers may independently view their training status in eIRB+ under "My Profile," and study coordinators may verify study personnel training statuses under the application's "Study Team Training" tab in eIRB+.
Special Event Training
The IRB Office partners with departments, programs, and research teams to deliver live, tailored education for special events such as departmental trainings, retreats, or large team meetings.
Sessions are customized to the audience and may include case discussions, IRB process overviews, or focused regulatory topics.
Request a Special Event Training. Submit requests at least five working weeks in advance.
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:
- Log in via “Log in Through My Organization” and select Northwestern University.
- Under Learner Tools, click “Add a Course.”
- 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.
Subscribers to the IRB Listserv receive the Bulletin and other essential IRB communications directly via email. You can subscribe to the IRB Listserv by following the steps in the Article - Subscribing to a Listserv.
Want to catch up on past issues? You can explore them on the News & Announcements page.
Share your ideas!
Have updates, new processes, or ideas for a future IRB Bulletin article that could benefit the Northwestern University HRPP community? We’d love to hear from you! Email irbtraining@northwestern.edu to share your story.