Inaugural Lecture Advocates for Inclusion of Adolescents in HIV Prevention Research

Inaugural Lecture Advocates for Inclusion of Adolescents in HIV Prevention Research

Research interests in the areas of HIV and AIDS and human rights spanning more than two decades culminated in UKZN’s recognition of Professor Ann Strode as a full professor of Law.

Strode celebrated this milestone by delivering an inaugural lecture titled: Coming of Age? A Critical Review of the Ethical-Legal Framework Regulating Adolescent HIV Prevention Trials from 2001 to 2022, to peers, family and students in May.

Strode reflected on her expert contribution to her field of research. She noted that South African adolescents are at high risk of HIV infection and that research into new HIV prevention modalities for this age group is critical in the response to the pandemic. However, she expressed concern regarding the under-representation of adolescents in HIV prevention research as she believes that great strides can be made in curbing HIV were they to be involved as participants.

Strode cited three challenges faced by researchers, namely, the legal capacity of children; the complex nature of HIV prevention studies which pose some risk to participants; and the ethical-legal framework regulating children’s participation in HIV prevention research.

Hence, the inaugural lecture critically reviewed the extent to which the framework has been able to address adolescent specific challenges and facilitate HIV prevention research. She believes that the norms of the ethical legal framework could create a balance in three competing interests of society in addressing the HIV pandemic, namely, the interests of scientists, those of product developers and the interests of individual adolescents in the studies.

She said: ‘Excluding children from research is a form of unfair discrimination as the lack of participation means that they are excluded from the benefits of research and development of new interventions for them.’

Strode shared lessons with emerging academics on the development of a focused and impactful research trajectory. She encouraged young researchers to explore working with researchers from interdisciplinary environments and added that this strategy kept her stimulated over the past 21 years.

As a seasoned researcher she emphasised the value of research networks if one wants to produce research that is impactful. Strode has published 68 peer-reviewed journal articles and chapters with 19 of these published in the past five years. Sixteen of her articles were in international journals. She has 1 251 citations, a H-index of 21 and a 110-index of 42. She cautioned emerging researchers: ‘You cannot research and write in a vacuum. You need to explore ways in which your research can be used to influence policies and legal approaches.’

Her lecture was dedicated to her late husband Mr Erik Latt and the late Professor Brenda Grant. She acknowledged and thanked her research collaborators Dr Catherine Slack and Dr Zunaib Essack for their contributions to her career.

Former student and Strode’s colleague Ms Suhayfa Bhamjee who attended the lecture said: ‘I was in the first cohort of students that you lectured in 2001. You came in with a very special aura which filled the air. It drew us in effortlessly. Now, as your colleague and friend, my days, outlook and understanding of so many things continue to be enriched by your never-ending enthusiasm and encouragement.’

Ms Jacintha Toohey, lecturer in the School of Law congratulated Strode: ‘It is such a privilege to witness this momentous occasion, with so many dear family, friends and colleagues. I am so grateful to have been one of many recipients of your wealth of knowledge.’

Strode is a member of a number of research collaborations with other universities both in South Africa and abroad including the HIV/AIDS Vaccines Ethics Group, UKZN; the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, University of Cape Town; the Data Monitoring and Safety Board for the CHAIN study at Oxford University; the Steering Committee of London’s University’s CHIDEZA study in Zimbabwe; and the ICARE study in Uganda – a collaboration with Columbia University in New York.

Words: Hazel Langa

Photograph and image: Supplied