ECA project establishes global standards for involving children in research and decision-making.
The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) has completed a three-year global research project aimed at enhancing ethical standards for involving children in research and ensuring their voices are represented throughout the process.
Known as the Child Assent Project, the initiative is one of the first of its kind and focuses on improving how researchers obtain children’s informed agreement to participate in studies, while respecting their rights and developmental stage according to age.
The Authority said the project has expanded global knowledge in child research ethics and developed practical tools and guidelines to support child-centred research in Abu Dhabi and internationally.
To mark the completion of the project, the ECA organised a specialised workshop under its Research Grants Programme, bringing together more than 20 researchers to examine how the findings can be applied to future studies and policymaking.
The workshop forms part of the 2026 Research Grants Cycle, which is supporting five research projects focused on early childhood development.
Saleha Al Azri, Director of Research and Knowledge Solutions at the ECA, said the Authority considers research grants to be more than just financial support.
“We view them as part of an integrated system that develops knowledge, builds researchers’ skills, and links research outcomes with policymaking,” she said.
Al Azri added that the workshop was grounded in long-term research conducted in Abu Dhabi and featured practical sessions, role-playing activities, and discussions designed to help researchers integrate child assent into their work.
She added that the project addresses an important gap in early childhood research by developing practical approaches that can be applied locally and adapted internationally.
According to Al Azri, this year’s research grants focus on several priorities, including capturing the perspectives of children and parents on education, examining the role of Emirati culture in shaping children’s identity, using artificial intelligence and interdisciplinary methods to better understand children’s experiences, and strengthening collaboration between families and schools.
She said the Research Grants Programme has supported dozens of research projects since its launch, resulting in scientific publications and the training of more than 100 early-career Emirati researchers.
Dr Qasim Abdullah, Associate Professor at the United Arab Emirates University, said the workshop provided researchers with valuable knowledge and practical tools that will enhance the quality of future studies involving children.
Dr Nadira Ghanimi, Assistant Professor and Head of the Family Medicine Department at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at UAEU, said the programme highlighted the importance of viewing informed assent as a continuous process that respects children’s views and wellbeing.
She added that prioritising children’s rights improves both the quality of research and its outcomes for families and society.
