Trials Expertise Session: Effective planning and management of trial sample collections
OCTO Team
Wednesday, 05 November 2025, 11.30am to 12.30pm
NOC, ND08
Hosted by octrutrialshub@ndorms.ox.ac.uk
THIS SESSION COVERS:
Summary
Effective sample management in clinical trials has traditionally been underestimated, with planning often limited to sample types and collection timepoints. Critical aspects such as intended sample use, feasibility, resource allocation, logistics, shipping, and post-trial arrangements have frequently been overlooked or simply not had the expertise to appropriately support them. Additionally, unclear delineation of responsibilities between Trial Managers and collaborating laboratories has led to poor communication, resource gaps, delays, and a lack of transparency.
This session covers:
- Embedding appropriate sample collection into clinical trial design and resourcing
- Sample handling legislation
- Sample collection and handling documentation
- Sample management and logistics
- Quality assurance and oversight of sample handling
- Post-trial sample arrangements
This session is taking place in person in NOC, ND08.
Places must be booked for this course.
Please email octrutrialshub@ndorms.ox.ac.uk to reserve your space. A University/NHS email address should be used when making your booking.
External Training
These links lead to a variety of clinical research related resources, training opportunities and conferences offered by external organisations – OCTRU does not necessarily endorse the links – this is offered only as a resource for individuals to use when looking for wider opportunities.
Note: We endeavour to keep this page up to date, however if a link is broken please can you let the admin team know on octrutrialshub@ndorms.ox.ac.uk
Training Opportunities
Training provided in Clinical Trials by the University of Oxford
Training in Research Integrity & Ethics
Research Governance, Ethics & Assurance Team (RGEA)
UKCRC Registered Clinical Trial Units
Monitoring of clinical trials - Online Training Modules
Resources about Human Tissue Act
Resources about Public Engagement
Health Research Authority (HRA)
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) including NIHR Learn
Integrated Research Application System (IRAS)
NIHR Research Delivery Network
This team have regular emails with links to training opportunities offered by themselves and other – follow this LINK for more information.
NIHR Learning for Involvement - training and resources dedicated to learning and development for public involvement in health and social care research
NIHR Associate Principal Investigator Scheme Resources Site
E-Learning
Training offered on Good Research Practice, including GDPR, Human Tissue legislation, IRAS - follow this LINK
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR Learn)
Online training courses for those working on trials, including those with an ac.uk email address. Courses include Introduction to GCP and refresher GCP training, diversity and inclusion training, and more - follow this LINK
The Global Health Network
Conferences
Biannual conference for researchers and practitioners to present the very latest in trials methodology research
Society for Clinical Trials (US organisation)
Annual conference in the US for those working in trials