Tools

We translate research findings into tools for students, academics, and policymakers.

The ETHics Resource Platform (ETHicsRP)

The ETH Ethics Resource Platform (ETHicsRP) is an evolving collection of tools, resources and online courses, aimed at students and teachers, which facilitates and innovates ethics education at ETH Zurich. Initiated by the Rector and implemented by the Health Ethics and Policy Lab, D-HEST, the website contains a collection of ethics case studies relating to the broad spectrum of the ETH domain. Visitors can navigate the content by working with the case studies and the related information. For example, visitors can search for specific ethics guidelines or a regulation that is relevant to their field of research.

Find out more

Image of the platform — The Ethics Resource Platform (ETHicsRP) was designed to encourage active engagement with ethics. It offers a curated collection of case studies, guidelines, and relevant materials, presented in a user-friendly format. The content caters to diverse departments, and includes videos, GIFs, and other interactive elements. The platform’s intuitive interface facilitates the seamless integration of ethics resources into the teaching curriculum.

Short video explaining how to use the website.

Ethics Toolkit

We developed an ethics toolkit to help Research Ethics Committees (RECs) and researchers reflect on and assess ethical uses of big data. As well, this toolkit provides a means for REC's and researchers to practically implement high-level recommendations and international governance. The toolkit, consisting of two parts as shown below, was developed by Agata Ferretti and Marcello Ienca under the supervision of Effy Vayena. For more details see this project page.

The self assessment tool — This self assessment tool was designed to help RECs, both in Switzerland and abroad, assess their preparedness and address their weaknesses in the big data research context. Using the flowchart, committees can identify shortcomings and take actions to overcome them. As well, this tool highlights certain big data projects that currently fall outside ethical review. By doing so, the tool draws RECs’ attention to those areas in research ethics that may need regulatory revisions.

Policy Roadmap - Interactive Dashboard

This comprehensive dashboard offers a curated set of policy recommendations and actionable steps to guide the ethical development and implementation of digital health initiatives, particularly for youth populations in low- and middle-income countries. It is designed for policymakers, regulators, developers, implementers, researchers, and individuals seeking to advance evidence-based digital health policies.

Screenshot of the dashboard — This dashboard presents a synthesis of ethical principles, policy formulations, and actionable strategies derived from our extensive research in digital health promotion for young people in LMICs. Our research encompassed a thorough examination of scientific literature, conceptual analyses, and empirical qualitative studies with experts and youth.

Health Data Ethics Map

We transalted the ethical guidelines of the Swiss Personalized Health Network into an interactive visual and online learning tool. The goal was to make the guideline more accessible and actionable for various health sector actors, and to communicate different responsibilities and rights related to using personal data and human biological material in health data.

Go to tool

Link to the ethical systems map tool — This interactive system map visualizes the key themes, processors, actors and their connections. Users can explore elements by clicking on the nodes, which reveals relevant information in a pop-up sidebar. A procedural approach to the content can be viewed using chapters for the four perspectives: researchers, participants, society, and institutions. For enhanced engagement, the tool includes hyperlinks to original sources within the guideline and an interactive legend of ethical principles.

Precise4Q Deliberative dashboard

We developed the Precise4Q Deliberative Dashboard as part of research investigating different stakeholders' expectations and attitudes towards the use of artificial intelligence in clinical care for stroke patients. This Deliberative Dashboard is designed to facilitate the discussion of ethical issues that arise within the project and to cultivate a common language and understanding. In addition, the Deliberative Dashboard also provides consortium partners with a curated list of relevant ethics resources, which are continuously reviewed and updated throughout the course of the project.