Community Engagement Council | Exploring How Canadians Understand and Engage with Controlled Human Infection Model (CHIM) Trials

We are forming a volunteer Community Engagement Council (CEC) to guide a national research study exploring how Canadians understand and engage with Controlled Human Infection Model (CHIM) trials— also known as human challenge studies.

The Council of 10 individuals includes equal representation from public citizens and content experts:

• 5 public citizens with lived experience or an interest in CHIM research
• 5 content experts in fields such as vaccinology, ethics, public health, digital health or community-based research

Council members will work collaboratively with our research team to:

• Strengthen public engagement
• Improve communication
• Build trust around CHIM research in Canada

In CHIM studies (also known as challenge studies), healthy volunteers agree to be exposed to a carefully controlled dose of a virus or bacteria in a safe medical setting. This helps researchers understand how our immune systems respond to infection and can dramatically accelerate vaccine testing, answering in weeks what traditional trials might take years to determine.

Public perspectives are essential to ensure CHIM research is ethical, transparent and aligned with community values. By engaging citizens and experts as partners, we can:

• Develop trustworthy, accessible information about CHIM trials
• Identify key public concerns, values and priorities
• Strengthen ethical practices and community oversight

By joining the Council, you’ll help shape how CHIM research is communicated and conducted in Canada — making sure that public voices are heard and respected every step of the way.

We are seeking:

• Public citizens(ages 18-50 years) across Canada with lived experience or an interest in CHIM research, vaccine studies or clinical research participation
• Experts/professionals in vaccinology, ethics, public health, digital health or community-based research who wish to contribute to this national dialogue

Council members will serve in an advisory capacity only; their input will not be collected or analyzed as research data.

Council members will:

• Meet virtually for 60 minutes once every three months
• Review and provide feedback on key project documents and activities (e.g., study materials)
• Share unique insights on our research goals and topic area to meaningfully shape the study
• Have opportunities to be included in publications opportunities.

Members will receive a $40 e-gift card for each 60-minute meeting attended.

Accessibility & Inclusion

We are committed to inclusion and equitable participation:

• Live captioning will be available
• Flexible scheduling will be offered
• Technology and data support can be provided upon request (e.g., support with Zoom/Teams, phone-in options).

We welcome individuals from equity-deserving groups and strive to accommodate accessibility needs.

This national study is led by Dr. Stephana Moss (Dalhousie University) and Dr. Donna Halperin (St Francis Xavier University), in collaboration with the Canadian Center for Vaccinology.

The research team brings together diverse expertise in public health, ethics and community engagement from across Canada.

Interested in Joining?

Complete the Community Engagement Council Intake Form