Transformation of the Clinical Research Enterprise
Throughout 2025, ACRP is deepening its commitment to advocate for—and amplify the voices of—all clinical research professionals.
The Transformation of the Clinical Research Enterprise survey asked ACRP’s membership and the broader clinical research community about the changes in clinical research over the past five to 10 years, the present situation, expectations for the future, and the opportunities to invest in improvements.
Voices from the Front Lines: Insights from ACRP’s Survey on Transforming the Clinical Research Enterprise—Past, Present, and Future
More than 735 respondents identified successes, setbacks, predictions, and areas for “bending the curve.” Read outcomes from the first-ever national workforce survey focused on the evolution of the clinical research enterprise.
On September 24, 2025, several of the architects of the ACRP Transformation of the Clinical Research Enterprise Survey unveiled new findings and insights from across research sites, academic research organizations, CROs, and more.
Not “Just Another Survey”
Just over a year ago, a small team from ACRP and Continuum Clinical got together to discuss a new survey of the clinical trial community. We were all excited about the idea, but we had one question to figure out: Why? We agreed that instead of viewing survey respondents as people who we needed to help, we designed a survey that let the respondents shape the solution.
Actionable Insights for Transforming the Clinical Research Enterprise
On April 26, at the ACRP 2025 Annual Conference in New Orleans, a panel of industry thought leaders shared the survey findings and proposed practical, solutions-based approaches to overcome the reported barriers that hinder successful clinical trials.
With a kickoff by Jennifer Sheller, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Clinical Trial Operations, for Merck, the panelists were largely in consensus that, while new technology has improved the conduct of research in recent years, study sites still very much need and deserve tools capable of advancing patient safety and site efficiency, as well as support from sponsors for making full use of them.
In addition to Sheller, the panel included Paul Ivsin, Executive Vice President, Trial Engagement Service, Continuum Clinical; Jeri Burr, MS, RN, PED-BC, CCRC, FACRP, Program Director, University of Utah; Edwina McNeill-Simaan, EdD, MSHS, CCRP, CCRC, Program Director, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nancy Sacco, PhD, Vice President Head of Clinical and Site Development Operations, SiteBridge Research Inc; and Pamela Tenaerts, MD, Chief Scientific Officer, Medable.
Their comments on various timely issues were informed by recently released results from the first-ever ACRP workforce survey on the state of the clinical research enterprise.
Who? What? Wow! Clinical Research Professionals Share Successes and Setbacks
On April 16, the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) released its initial findings from the first-ever workforce survey on the state of the clinical research enterprise.
More than 735 clinical research professionals cited improved data quality, a growing role for technology providers, and the fulfilling nature of this career, while highlighting continued inefficiencies. This survey was deployed from December 2024 – February 2025.
“ACRP’s survey provides a missing yet critical point of view—the voice of those on the frontlines leading study conduct, interpreting regulatory guidance, and serving as the essential ‘last mile’ with patient engagement,” says Susan Landis, Chief Executive Officer, ACRP.
ACRP partnered with Continuum Clinical to develop and deploy the survey to the ACRP membership and broader clinical research community.
What the Workforce Thinks—Matters
Hear several ACRP 2025 panelists share their perspectives on the creation of—and outcomes from—the first-ever workforce survey on the state of the clinical research enterprise.