INHSU’s Early-Mid-Career Researchers (EMCR) Special Interest Group brings together early and mid-career researchers from across the globe who are interested in the health and wellbeing of people who use drugs, harm reduction, human rights, hepatitis C, and other harms that can occur from drug use and prohibitionist drug policy.
The EMCR Special Interest Group meets regularly throughout the year to collaborate, share knowledge, and address challenges facing early-mid-career researchers.
It organises several activities throughout the year, and at the annual INHSU conference, which are open to all EMCRs with an interest in the health of people who use drugs. For activities held at the annual INHSU conference, EMCRs must be registered for the conference to attend.
Members also have the opportunity to be involved with professional development projects throughout the year.
Help shape the future of INHSU EMCR
We’re currently seeking new members, particularly from Low Middle-Income countries (countries that are considered Low-Income Economies and Lower-Middle Income Economies by the World Bank).
If you are a researcher within 10 years of finishing your latest degree, or currently studying in a field related to the health or human rights of people who use drugs and would like to play an active part in shaping the future of the INHSU EMCR Special Interest Group, please join today.
How to join INHSU EMCR
- If you’re already an INHSU member, email info@inhsu.org and request to join INHSU EMCR. You will be sent your personal login link
- If you are not an INHSU member, join INHSU here, and click ‘Join INHSU EMCR’ during the sign-up process.

Collaborative Research Challenges
The INHSU EMCR Collaborative Research Challenges are a chance to share your ideas and knowledge, network and collaborate with others towards a shared research goal. The aim is to generate ideas to address important current issues in the field of hepatitis and drugs research.
For the launch of the first EMCR Collaborative Research Challenges, we have set four grand challenges:
- CHALLENGE 1 – Community and research coordination
- CHALLENGE 2 – HCV care pathway design and implementation
- CHALLENGE 3 – HCV reinfection
- CHALLENGE 4 – Drug overdoses in the community

Previous INHSU EMCR activities
- INHSU EMCR held a virtual event called ‘Approaches to community-involved research as an early / mid-career researcher’. You can view the webinar and read the key takeaways here
- At the INHSU 2022 conference, INHSU EMCR led a session about increasing opportunities for getting your research published. Read the notes and watch the playback, here
- Throughout INHSU 2022, INHSU EMCR members hosted poster tours and held takeovers of the INHSU Twitter channel @inHepSU , disseminating valuable insights from the conference live to a global audience
- In collaboration with the Community Committee, INHSU EMCR hosted a networking event during the INHSU 2022 Community Day, providing a valuable opportunity for researchers and people with lived experience to meet, break down barriers, and discuss better ways to connect in the future
Coming soon
Research capsule summaries
Translating research into bitesize, understandable content that can be used for education, policy and advocacy, is a core skill for any researcher. INHSU will be working with the EMCR Special Interest Group to develop Research Capsule Summaries that enhance science communication skills.
Mentoring program
INHSU has a hugely diverse and talented network. A new mentoring program will tap into this talent base and connect EMCRs with senior researchers, community members and other members of our network. The program will help foster career development and skills for mentor and mentee.