5 reasons to follow the MOOC "Research Management in Outbreak Preparedness and Response"

During a health crisis, the speed at which research is mobilized can determine the success or failure of public health interventions. A new infectious disease emerges, scientists race against the clock — but what determines whether research can make an impact fast enough to save lives?
It is not just science. It is the research management behind the scenes: a complex yet well-coordinated decision-making ecosystem in which legal, ethical, logistical and communication dimensions shape the ability of research systems to act swiftly, effectively, and equitably.
Whether you are a research manager, a legal or logistics officer, a programme coordinator, or a researcher seeking to better understand the system you are part of, this MOOC is for you. Ready to strengthen your role in outbreak preparedness? 

Discover 5 reasons to enrol in Pasteur Network’s new MOOC Research Management in Outbreak Preparedness and Response!

1 – Discover the essential role of research managers behind the scenes

When a new pathogen emerges, the visible part of the response is scientific — but the invisible part is what makes it possible. This MOOC sheds light on the critical behind-the-scenes work that accelerates the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines, and shows how research management roles shift between routine conditions and crisis contexts. You will understand why coordination, governance, and operational know-how are as decisive as the science itself.

2 – Explore the full ecosystem that makes emergency research possible

The course is structured around 8 chapters covering every dimension of effective research response: understanding the landscape and objectives, introduction to research management, stakeholder engagement and trust, equity in research preparedness and response, regulatory and legal frameworks, technology transfer, ethics in emergency contexts, and logistical challenges. You will see how stakeholders collaborate across institutions and borders, and how each dimension contributes to a fast, fair, and effective response.

3 – Benefit from world-class expertise

In this interdisciplinary MOOC, you will benefit from the expertise of leading specialists involved in outbreak preparedness and response, including Marion Koopmans (ERASMUS-MC), Christian Drosten (Charité), Emmanuel André (KU Leuven), Rebecca Grais, Kathleen Victoir, Renaud Vatrinet, Hichem Ben Hassine and Sitraka Andrinivo (Pasteur Network), Garry Aslanyan (TDR), Raquel Salviati and Roberta de Freitas (Fiocruz), Anne-Laure Morin, Julie Allouche, Fanny Momboisse and Marion Bérard (Institut Pasteur), Martijn de Vlaming (ERASMUS-MC), Cheikh Tidiane Diagne (Institut Pasteur de Dakar), and Guillaume Noailly (Bioport). Developed with contributions from members of the DURABLE consortium and the Pasteur Network, the course draws on experience from real epidemic and pandemic situations. 

4 – Understand the real-world challenges of outbreak research coordination

Beyond theory, the MOOC explores the concrete operational challenges faced during health emergencies: balancing speed with ethics, coordinating stakeholders across countries and institutions, managing technology transfer, ensuring equitable access to research, and maintaining public trust under pressure. Drawing on lessons learned from recent epidemics and pandemics, the course provides practical insight into how research systems function — and sometimes struggle — in crisis situations.

5 – Earn a recognised badge — and join a global community committed to equity and trust

Participants who complete the course with a score of at least 65% are awarded a digital badge of achievement certifying their engagement and the knowledge acquired. 
This certification offers tangible recognition of skills and knowledge increasingly valued across research institutions, global health organisations, and emergency response networks.
Beyond the badge, you will join an international community of research managers, scientists, and global health professionals committed to making research operations more equitable, trustworthy, and resilient in times of crisis.

Join the MOOC today and strengthen your role in delivering faster, fairer, and more effective outbreak responses.

To register now and learn more, click here. 
Pasteur Network
Course: From May 11, 2026 to May 10, 2027