PPCR at Data4Life Berlin
Advancing clinical research through education, data, and collaboration
By hosting a local site in Berlin, we contribute to the education of researchers while strengthening the connection between research methodology and modern data ecosystems.
About PPCR
The Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (PPCR) program is an international distance-learning course led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
It provides comprehensive training in clinical research, covering key topics such as study design, statistical methods, data collection, and the critical interpretation of research findings. The program combines weekly interactive sessions with case-based learning and global collaboration across site centers.
Participants join from around the world, forming a global network of clinicians and researchers working to improve the quality and impact of clinical research.
Why we are a Site Center
At Data4Life, our work focuses on enabling high-quality, data-driven research through digital infrastructure and collaboration.
Supporting PPCR as a Site Center reflects this mission. The program addresses many of the same challenges we work on in practice:
- how to design robust studies
- how to ensure data quality
- how to translate data into meaningful evidence
History
The Berlin PPCR Site Center has a long-standing history.
It was first established in 2013 at Charité by Data4Life´s CEO Ben Illigens, following the launch of the first German site in Dresden in 2012 together with Prof. Siepmann.
With its reopening at Data4Life, the Berlin Site Center continues this initiative and connects it to today’s challenges in digital health and data-driven research.
What is the PPCR program and who is it for?
The Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (PPCR) program is an international training course offered by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. It is designed for clinicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals who want to gain or deepen their expertise in clinical research, including study design, data analysis, and evidence interpretation.
What does it mean to be a PPCR Site Center?
A PPCR Site Center is a local hub where participants join the program together and engage in weekly interactive sessions. Site Centers provide an environment for discussion, collaboration, and peer learning, complementing the global online format of the program.
Why is clinical research training important for data-driven healthcare?
High-quality clinical research is essential for generating reliable evidence in healthcare. As the use of real-world data and digital tools increases, strong methodological foundations become even more important. Training programs like PPCR help ensure that data is collected, analyzed, and interpreted correctly, ultimately improving research outcomes and patient care.
How does Data4Life’s involvement in PPCR relate to its mission?
At Data4Life, our mission is to improve health outcomes by enabling better research through data and digital infrastructure. Supporting the PPCR program is a natural extension of this work.
Clinical research depends on high-quality data, robust study design, and the ability to translate findings into practice. These are the same challenges we address through our solutions and programs.
By contributing to the education of researchers and supporting a global learning network, we aim to strengthen the foundations of data-driven clinical research and help bridge the gap between data, evidence, and real-world impact.
