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A Community-Based Research Ethics resource poster
Communities should be part of defining ethics is the principle underpinning a new Community-Based Research Ethics Resource poster and accompanying web pages developed through collaboration between community organisations, artists, researchers, university researchers, and public sector partners.
The resource brings together the collective knowledge and experience of those involved in community-based, arts-based, and socially engaged research, recognising the need for ethical guidance that is shaped by the people most affected by research processes.
The project emerged from shared concerns about the uneven power dynamics that can exist between universities and the communities often invited to participate in research. Through two workshops, representatives from community groups, statutory and voluntary organisations, artists, and university researchers came together to explore how research ethics can better acknowledge and respond to social and structural inequalities.
Following the workshops, artist Becky Hatchett developed a series of visuals that captured the key themes and findings that emerged from participants' discussions. Further collaboration with community partners resulted in a collaboratively produced poster resource offering ethical guidelines grounded in lived experience, collaboration, and mutual learning.
Reflecting contributions from a wide range of community and university partners, the resource provides practical guidance for those undertaking collaborative research while highlighting the importance of addressing power, privilege, and social justice within research relationships.
Professor Maggie O’Neill, Director of Collective Social Futures and ISS21 said: “It was a joy to learn from and work with community partners to develop this resource and it is so important for participatory, socially engaged research and arts-based research that we listen and learn from the groups and communities we conduct research with. We hope the resource is useful for everyone involved in community-based research!”
Access the Community-Based Research Ethics Resource Poster here.
Access the Community-Based Research Ethics Resource webpages here.