Advisory Committee
Established Comittees
CIHR International Oversight Committee on the CLSA
The mandate of the International Oversight Committee on the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) is to provide the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) with expert advice as well as independent ongoing oversight and evaluation of the CLSA according to internationally recognized standards of excellence for science and leadership.
Further information about the CIHR International Oversight Committee on the CLSA can be found at:
http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/42621.htmlThe mandate of the International Scientific Oversight Committee (ISOC) is to provide the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) with expert advice as well as independent ongoing oversight and evaluation of the CLSA according to internationally recognized standards of excellence for science and leadership. The ISOC provides expert advice on research and research policy specific to the CLSA as well as on related aspects, including, publically-funded population-based, longitudinal studies, databases and biobanks.
The International Scientific Oversight Committee is a committee of the Research Portfolio Office of CIHR and submits a report annually to the VP research on the committee’s recommendations regarding the CLSA progress, scientific excellence, quality of the leadership, as well as satisfactory response to CIHR’s conditions of funding. The CIHR’s Research Portfolio, Targeted Initiatives Branch, Randomized Controlled Trials Unit provides secretariat support to the CLSA International Scientific Oversight Committee. This includes a Deputy Director and a Program Officer.
CIHR Advisory Committee on Ethical, Legal and Social Issues for the CLSA
The mandate of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Advisory Committee on Ethical, Legal and Social Issues (ELSI) for the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) is to:
- provide independent, critical advice to the Scientific Management Team leading the CLSA on actions and best practices to address ethical, legal and social issues during the five-year implementation phase of the CLSA;
- contribute to the advancement of ELSI knowledge related to the CLSA and similar CIHR-funded, population-based, longitudinal studies, databases and biobanks; and
- disseminate ELSI knowledge to the external community of relevant stakeholders.
Further information about the Advisory Committee on Ethical, Legal and Social Issues for the CLSA can be found at:
http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/40803.htmlCLSA Scientific Management Team
The CLSA Scientific Management Team (SMT) is the principal decision making body of the CLSA, providing overall scientific leadership and primary responsibility for oversight of all CLSA activities.
The SMT is composed of the CLSA Lead Principal Investigator, Co-Principal Investigators, and the CLSA Managing Director. The CIHR/CLSA Associate Director is an ex officio member of the SMT. The committee is chaired by Parminder Raina. The rest of the committee is comprised of Susan Kirkland, Christina Wolfson, Lauren Griffith, and Linda Mealing (ex officio)
The SMT liaises with the CLSA-established Advisory Council and Scientific Advisory Board, the International Scientific Advisory Board, and the CIHR-established Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues Committee and Scientific Oversight Committee at least annually, or as required.
CLSA Operations Committee
The Operations Committee (OC) is the primary CLSA scientific and study implementation advisory committee. The OC will provide the principal mechanism for both DCS and enabling site (National Coordinating Centre [NCC], Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing [CATI] site, Statistical Analysis Centre [SAC], Genetic and Epigenetic Centre [GEC], Biorepository and Bioanalysis Centre [BBC]) directors to communicate on a regular basis, allowing for ongoing troubleshooting and problem solving related to the scientific and functional operations of the study. The Operations Committee will serve as a vehicle to promote integrative research and training of highly qualified personnel.
The OC will support site implementation and on-going operations. The committee will meet regularly to review operations and:
- Implement plans and mechanisms, and advice the SMT about plans to manage local personnel change;
- Develop methodological plans to integrate new technologies into day-to-day operations of the
- CLSA data collection and analyses;
- Monitor and problem solve as needed, with respect to the preparation and activation of the individual sites in implementing standardized study protocols and standard operating procedures;
- Monitor and problem solve with respect the ongoing performance of individual sites and the maintenance of infrastructure and equipment;
- Enhance research capacity and promotion of the training mandate within and across infrastructure sites;
- Support the integration of consistent communications within and across infrastructure sites and oversee strategies for communications with the larger scientific community; and
- Ensure that CLSA policies and procedures are implemented in a consistent manner across site boundaries to meet or exceed best practices in the areas of privacy, security, and research.
The committee is chaired by Andrew Wister from Simon Fraser University. The following researchers comprise the OC:
Cynthia Balion (McMaster University)
Larry Chambers (University of Ottawa)
Max Cynader (University of British Columbia)
Lauren Griffith (McMaster University)
David Hogan (University of Calgary)
Jeff Jutai (University of Ottawa)
Susan Kirkland (Dalhousie University)
Michael Kobar (University of British Columbia)
Verena Menec (University of Manitoba)
Gerry Mugford (Memorial University of Newfoundland)
Mark Oremus (McMaster University)
Hélène Payette (Université de Sherbrooke)
Margaret Penning (University of Victoria)
Parminder Raina (McMaster University)
Andrew Wister (Simon Fraser University)
Christina Wolfson (McGill University)
The OC reports to the SMT, via the Chair. The OC has two standing sub-committees, the Training Committee and the Knowledge Translation and Communications Committee.
CLSA Data and Sample Access Committee
The Data and Sample Access Committee (I-DSAC) is the CLSA body responsible for the review of applications for access to, and use of, alphanumeric data and/or biological samples, collected as part of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. The I-DSAC oversees all aspects of data usage, storage, and security. The I-DSAC ensures participants’ privacy and confidentiality are guarded in accordance with Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with Statistics Canada and other institutions as required. As well, the I-DSAC takes responsibility for implementing policies and procedures consistent with the principles described in the CIHR Best Practices for Protecting Privacy in Health Research, Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans and the Canadian Standards Association Privacy Code.
The I-DSAC is responsible for:
The review of all applications to the CLSA for:
- Access to alphanumeric data;
- Access to biological samples;
- The conduct of sub studies that are ancillary to the CLSA;
- Monitoring the progress of the studies for which access has been granted.
An interim I-DSAC has been established and is initially chaired by CLSA co-PI Dr. Christina Wolfson. The committee membership will be composed primarily of researchers not involved in the CLSA and reflects the diversity of disciplines within the CLSA research program. Researcher members of the I-DSAC are drawn from individuals with expertise in the following disciplines: genetics/epigenetics; biobanking and biomarkers; social aspects of aging; psychology/neuropsychology; statistics/biostatistics; ethics; health policy; and epidemiology. The committee is supported by a I-DSAC Coordinator who coordinates the activities of the committee and maintains relevant documentation.
The interim chair of the I-DSAC is Christina Wolfson, co-PI. The following researchers comprised the I-DSAC:
Cynthia Balion (McMaster University)
Iranga Chikura (CIHR ex officio)
Max Cynader (University of British Columbia
Pierrette Gaudreau (University of Montreal)
Joan Lindsay (University of Ottawa)
Verena Menec (University of Manitoba)
Saminda Pathmasiri (Public Population Project in Genomics)
Margaret Penning (University of Victoria)
Brent Richards (McGill University)
Harry Shannon (McMaster University)
The I-DSAC reports directly the CLSA Scientific Management Team (SMT) via the Chair. The Chair of the I-DSAC will also present an annual report to the CIHR International Scientific Oversight Committee.
COMMITTEES IN PROCESS OF BEING ESTABLISHED
CLSA Advisory Council
CLSA Scientific Advisory Board
CLSA Training Committee
CLSA Knowledge Translation and Communications Committee
CLSA Intellectual Property and Commercialization Committee
CLSA Community Liaison Committee