RPAG Receives Recognition as Part of AAHRPP Re-Accreditation of Cincinnati Children’s IRB

Earlier this year, CCTST’s Research Participant Advisory Group (RPAG) received recognition as an “Area of Distinction” as part of the Association for Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs' (AAHRPP) re-accreditation of Cincinnati Children’s Institutional Review Board (IRB).

The RPAG was recognized for meeting AAHRPP’s Community Engagement standard I.4.C for demonstrating a “strong commitment to community engagement and ethical research practices” by effectively integrating “diverse community perspectives into the research process, providing researchers with a mechanism to obtain structured feedback on study design, recruitment, and communication strategies.” 

On November 18, 2025, Julie Wijesooriya, MPA, was invited to present about the RPAG on AAHRPP’s webinar titled, "Participant/Community Outreach and Collaboration: Innovative Practices by AAHRPP-Accredited Organizations” along with two other “Area of Distinction” awardees. She shared how the RPAG began, its key components and how it is structured to meet researchers’ needs across the Academic Health Center no matter where they are in their research and experience with working with participants/community.

The webinar powerpoint can be found here. To learn more about CCTST's RPAG, please click here.

AHHRPP’s Blurb about the RPAG

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (AAHRPP Standard I.4.C.):

The establishment of the University of Cincinnati’s Research Participant Advisory Council (RPAC) demonstrated a strong commitment to community engagement and ethical research practices. The council effectively integrated diverse community perspectives into the research process, providing researchers with a mechanism to obtain structured feedback on study design, recruitment, and communication strategies. A particularly innovative strategy invited individuals responsible for obtaining consent to conduct a mock consent process before the RPAC, providing a valuable opportunity to receive direct, participant-informed feedback aimed at improving clarity, communication, effectiveness, and overall participant comprehension.