During public health pandemics such as COVID-19, cooperative behaviors among scientists, journal editors, policy makers and research ethics committees, are essential to promote scientific integrity and societal trust in translational research and resultant public health decisions. This cooperation is possible by expanding the current way of working to include stakeholders beyond the research team via community events and special communication channels sponsored by research ethics committees. Research ethics committees with wider communication channels, increased transparency, and enhanced knowledge exchange have the potential to improve research design, performance, dissemination, and ultimately public benefit.
Keywords: COVID-19; ethics committee; pandemics; peer review; public health policy; publishing; research; research integrity.