Introduction

Assuring the protection of human participants in research is paramount. A series of recent events, including news stories focusing on lapses in research ethics has highlighted the delicate relationship between researcher and research participant. The Department of Mental Health Law & Policy at the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, is concerned with the possible compromise of this relationship, and has responded with initiatives designed to better equip researchers to conduct ethically responsible research. The Department is pleased to announce a four-day, intensive training course focusing on ethical and legal issues that arise when vulnerable populations, particularly people with severe mental illness, are research participants. The training is intended for advanced doctoral or newly graduated students who wish to conduct human services research; researchers and advocates (including consumers and family members) who are involved in behavioral research; and persons serving on Institutional Review Boards.