PhD candidates are key to shaping the future of research, yet crucial training on sex and gender-sensitive approaches remains fragmented. To tackle this, Dr. Sanne Peters and Elevate are developing a comprehensive, flexible eLearning course to integrate these vital perspectives into public health research.
PhD candidates play a pivotal role in shaping the future of scientific research, yet valuable teaching materials on sex and gender in research often remain fragmented and underutilized. Traditional courses, constrained by fixed schedules and physical locations, struggle to reach a broad audience, limiting the integration of sex- and gender-sensitive approaches in research.
To address these challenges, Dr. Sanne Peters, Associate Professor in Epidemiology and Global Health at the Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, has initiated this project. The aim is to develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive eLearning course focused on sex- and gender-sensitive research within the public health domain.This flexible, scalable course will be integrated into Dutch university PhD programs, enhancing and standardizing research practices across the field.
The Elevate team of Learning & Development professionals worked closely with gender research specialists, enabling efficient repurposing and refinement of existing teaching materials for the current eLearning initiative. Following the ADDIE framework (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation), we created an eLearning course that progressed through meticulous phases. For this eLearning we collaborated with sex and gender research specialists, PhD students, and Graduate School representatives to ensure alignment with audience needs.
The initial pilot at one university will inform refinements through pre- and post-course surveys. The course is intended to be implemented at Erasmus MC, Utrecht University, Radboud University, University of Amsterdam, and VU Amsterdam Graduate Schools.
The course curriculum, informed by insights from focus panel sessions with PhD students and Graduate School representatives, covers key topics essential for integrating sex and gender perspectives into public health research. It includes defining sex and gender, conceptualizing their integration, practical methodologies for implementation, quantifying differences, strategies for sensitivity, guidelines for reporting findings, and integrating these considerations into public health practices. These topics equip PhD candidates with the knowledge and skills needed to incorporate sex and gender effectively throughout their research endeavors.
The eLearning course is designed for seamless integration into PhD programs, with the adaptability to extend its impact to a range of professional groups, including members of the Dutch Society for Epidemiology and those engaged in continuing medical education. Through strategic partnerships with organizations like the Dutch Cardiovascular Alliance, the initiative’s aim is to advance the adoption of gender-sensitive research practices across disciplines.
For the long term it is envisioned to cultivate a culture of sex- and gender-sensitive research that extends beyond academia, influencing professionals in fields such as healthcare. With backing from influential organizations and integration into university programs, this course has the potential to significantly elevate research practices and improve public health outcomes on a global scale.
I became familiar with Elevate through my work at Julius Center and University Medical Centre Utrecht. Elevate has previously collaborated with us on several projects. The collaboration with Elevate was extremely pleasant; they are proactive and always available. They consistently bring great ideas to the table and truly take the time to understand us as a client, which we greatly appreciate.
