CMMB and Department of Sociology Partner in Horizon Europe Project PERIFORMANCE

UM Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking (CMMB) and Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, join in transdisciplinary research and innovation activities with European outreach (HORIZON-MISS-2024- CROSS-02-01).

The Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking (CMMB) and the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, at the University of Malta have established a research partnership within a new Horizon Europe Project, HORIZON-MISS-2024-CROSS-02-01, titled PERIFORMANCE (Public Engagement in Research Infrastructures for Mission Cancer: Managing the Complexity of Emerging Technologies).

Coordinated by the Biobanks and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure Consortium (BBMRI-ERIC, Austria), the University of Malta is one of the partners contributing to this project, with academic leadership being provided by Prof. Gillian Martin and Dr Kay Polidano, supported by Research Support Officer Ms Donnah Calleja.

The PERIFORMANCE project is a cross-cutting European initiative that aims to create meaningful local-level impact by actively involving communities in cancer research, in line with the European Commission’s Mission Cancer objectives. This project aims to transform stakeholder engagement by addressing the ethical, legal, and societal implications (ELSI) of biobanking and cancer research, with particular attention to the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the European Health Data Space (EHDS).

Working through a quadruple helix approach, which brings together patients and donors, research and healthcare professionals, industry partners, and policymakers, PERIFORMANCE goes beyond traditional patient and public involvement practices. Using a bottom-up co-creation model, the project will include close collaboration with stakeholders across European partner research centres by supporting cancer research engagement practices selected through an open, competitive call. These will then be used to curate and disseminate a best-practices knowledge base (or 'cookbook’) by developing and facilitating innovative engagement practices involving cancer patients, survivors, and carers, thereby enhancing public trust in technological advancements used for scientific research.

The use of a variety of social science research methods from the outset of the project will ensure the understanding of all stakeholder perspectives, especially those of patients and carers. This approach will strengthen effective engagement in cancer research, focusing on potentials and challenges, while promoting inclusivity and contextual relevance. Through its implementation, PERIFORMANCE aims to support wide-ranging accessibility and uptake. The project will run until 2028.

Additional information is available on the LinkedIn page, Twitter account (EU PERIFORMANCE project, @EU_Periformance) and X account.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.