SAGER-Ethics
The SAGER-Ethics Working Group – Strengthening Research Integrity Through Gender-Responsive guidelines
Building on the success of the SAGER (Sex and Gender Equity in Research) guidelines, GENDRO has launched a dedicated Working Group to adapt these globally recognised principles for use by Research Ethics Committees (RECs) and Institutional Review Boards (IRBs). While the SAGER guidelines have been widely adopted by publishers and funders, the ethical review process remains a critical yet underutilised entry point for integrating sex, gender, and intersectional considerations into research.
The SAGER–Ethics Working Group brings together experts and stakeholders from around the world to tailor the recommendations to support RECs and IRBs in addressing the ethical implications of overlooking sex and gender in research protocols. It also aims to guide researchers in incorporating these dimensions during the design and development of studies, prior to REC review.This initiative builds on a pivotal meeting co-convened by GENDRO and CIOMS in 2023, and the Working Group will collaborate closely with diverse partners to ensure the adapted guidelines are relevant, practical, and responsive to the varied contexts in which RECs operate.
Background and Rationale
Since the publication of the Sex and Gender Equity in Research (SAGER) guidelines in 2016, the guidelines have gained broad and global recognition. Recognising the key role of Research Ethics Committees (RECs) and Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) in the research ecosystem, GENDRO, through its Gender, Evidence, and Health (GEH) network, published a scoping review in 2022, and in 2023, GENDRO co-convened a meeting with CIOMS to explore how RECs can support the harmonisation of the SAGER recommendations.
In 2025, GENDRO launched the SAGER–Ethics Working Group to adapt the guidelines for use by RECs and IRBs. This effort aims to help researchers and ethics committees more systematically address sex and gender considerations, and promote alignment of the SAGER recommendations across key gatekeeping processes in science.
Our Objectives
- Adapt the SAGER guidelines into practical tools and processes that Research Ethics Committees (RECs) can apply effectively.
- Evaluate and curate existing resources that help embed sex and gender considerations into ethics review processes.
- Strengthen awareness and foster support among RECs for adopting SAGER-REC principles.
- Promote gender equity, balance, and inclusivity as core values within REC practices and decision-making.
What We Do
The Working Group focuses on:
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Drafting the SAGER-RECs, tailored specifically for Research Ethics Committee (REC) processes.
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Identifying challenges and barriers that RECs may face in adopting these guidelines.
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Collecting and analysing feedback from stakeholders to assess the applicability and usefulness of the SAGER-RECs.
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Publishing and disseminating the final SAGER-REC guidelines widely.
Who We Are
The Working Group comprises 10 to 12 members, ensuring effective participation and coordination. Members are selected based on their expertise, sector representation, and geographical diversity, with a strong commitment to gender balance and inclusivity.
The group brings together professionals with backgrounds in research ethics, gender studies, and research governance, representing academia, public institutions, and the private sector.
Co-Chairs
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Shirin Heidari, GENDRO & Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland
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Roli Mathur, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), India
Members
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Tom Babour, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, USA
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Kristin Marie Bivens, University of Nevada, Reno, USA
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An-Wen Chan, Women’s College Research Institute and ICES, University of Toronto, Canada
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Hans van Delden, University Medical Center of Utrecht University, The Netherlands
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Ann George, Centre for Health Science Education, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa
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Angèle Gayet-Ageron, Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern, Switzerland
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Marisol Guraiib, World Health Organization, Ethics Committee (ERC Secretariat), Switzerland
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Jillian Gardner, Steve Biko Centre for Bioethics, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
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Mantoa Mokhachane, Unit for Undergraduate Medical Education (UUME), University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
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Mariam Otmani Del Barrio, World Health Organization, TDR, Switzerland
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Sandra Sakala, National Health Research Authority, Zambia
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Dominique Sprumont, Research Ethics Committee of Vaud, Switzerland