Project Artemisa

Women—particularly older women and women from racial and ethnic minority groups—continue to be underrepresented in clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas. In addition, female-specific factors such as reproductive life stage, menstrual history, pregnancy, and use of menopause-related hormone therapy are rarely incorporated into clinical trial design and analysis, limiting the relevance and generalizability of research findings for women.

To better understand what shapes women’s perspectives on clinical trial participation, the Connors Center for Women’s Health Research at Brigham and Women’s Hospital conducted a national survey of more than 5,000 women across the United States. The most commonly reported barriers included limited understanding of clinical trials, lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate materials, and mistrust in the research community. Conversely, women identified trusted sources of information and altruism—particularly a desire to help other women—as key motivators for participation.

Project Artemisa translates these insights into action. Conducted in collaboration with the Walgreens Clinical Trials Office, the project is intentionally designed to meet women where they are—within their own communities. Through a community-based education and training program, Project Artemisa empowers women to become trusted community research agents, equipped to share accurate information, foster trust, and support informed decision-making about clinical trial participation among their families and broader communities.

Project Artemisa is named after Artemis, the Greek goddess associated with the protection of women, health across the lifespan, and the wellbeing of communities. Artemis was a guardian and guide—particularly for women—symbolizing strength, autonomy, and care.

Project Artemisa is currently running both in-person and virtual focus group sessions for women in the Greater Boston area. The study team is interested in hearing from women in the Greater Boston community regarding their knowledge and opinions on clinical trials and clinical trial participation.

Participants will attend two 1-hour focus group meetings: the first virtually over Zoom and the second in-person. Both focus group sessions with be recorded for study purposes, after which all recordings and personal identifying data will be destroyed. Participants who attend both focus group sessions are eligible for up to $150 in compensation via Visa Gift Card. Refreshments are provided at in-person focus group meetings.

We are currently accepting participants for our focus group meetings. Participants must:

• Be a woman at least 18 years or older
• Live in Massachusetts

If you are interested in enrolling in our focus groups, please fill out the interest form here: