Sharing learning around ethics with wider partners and sister networks
Written by Lauren Pyott (Network Coordinator, Science Ceilidh)
In September 2024, we shared some of our learning from Phase 1 with wider partners and sister networks, as we aim to help build a culture shift around more equitable community-led research. On the 10th, we took part in an Ethics Roundtable organised by our partners at the Third Sector Research Forum. Alongside a range of peer researchers based in third sector organisations, we discussed: issues of working with vulnerable communities and how and when to distinguish between safeguarding and risk; what the differences are between doing research ethically and ethical research outcomes; whether it is in fact always ethical to do research; what types of training and/or protocols would be useful and what mechanisms are required for doing research ethically.
The conversation concluded that funding cycles that allow all involved to have more time to engage slowly, sensitively and meaningfully is crucial. We will be following up with more details from the roundtable in the coming months, including some potential collaborative actions that we may want to pursue as a result. In the meantime, many thanks to the Third Sector Research Forum for inviting us to the discussion!
We also shared some of our learning around ethics with youth work practitioners, when we piloted our Participatory Ethics Toolkit at the National Impact Network: Leaders Forum in Glasgow on the 18th. Our workshop was based around the toolkit ‘card game’ which was initially informed by young people in Shetland in Phase 1, where we explored how we could look at ethics from a ‘rights based perspective’, encouraging pre-engagement conversations about how people would like to participate in research (if they do at all). We look forward to getting feedback about the use of the game from the youth practitioners in attendance, before we aim to more fully launch the ‘game’ in Phase 2!
