These guidance notes are designed to support to researchers, research institutions, NGOs, funders and research participants in incorporating into their own work the findings of a recent project "Ethics in modern slavery research," led by the University of Liverpool and University of Nottingham.
The research was conducted by Dr Wendy Asquith, Lecturer in Politics at the University of Liverpool, Dr Bethany Jackson, Senior Research Fellow at the Rights Lab, University of Nottingham, Professor Helen Stalford, School of Law and Social Justice, University of Liverpool, Kimberley Hutchison, Research Consultant, Edmira Bracaj, Research Assistant, University of Liverpool and Adam Burns, Research Assistant, University of Liverpool.
The research was funded by the PEC which in turn is funded and supported by the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). The Modern Slavery PEC have actively supported the production of the guidance notes. However, the views expressed in this summary and the full report are those of the authors and not necessarily of the funders.
Background
There are increasing calls for researchers, research organisations and funders active in the field of modern slavery and human trafficking (MSHT) research to reflect on their own practices of engagement and co-production. Momentum has built on this point as lived experience experts have become more directly involved in the production of research. As a result, a greater range of stakeholders involved in MSHT research now regard such practices of inclusion as both positive standard practice and a means of delivering effective research that can inform policy and practice of greater efficacy. In this context, attention must be given to ensuring that research underpinning anti-trafficking policy and practice is ethically robust, attentive to the prevention and mitigation of harms, and attuned to the needs, goals and aspirations of those with lived experience.
Context and objectives
This research builds on the findings of "Ethics in modern slavery research: Review of the current landscape and evaluation of research ethics appropriateness." The study examined the existing body of evidence about approaches to research ethics in the field of MSHT as well as original empirical data collection with three key objectives. Firstly, to take stock of current practice and consider its appropriateness. Secondly, to share understandings of what it means to conduct research on MSHT ethically from a range of perspectives and, thirdly, to make targeted recommendations for a range of stakeholders, such as researchers, their institutions, and funders. These include research funders, research organisations (e.g. universities), research ethics committees, research teams, NGO partners and lived experience experts engaging in research.
The aim of this follow-on work was to produce accessible tools to support the practical application of findings and recommendations published in the Ethics in modern slavery research report. The three guidance notes look at promoting ethical governance of MSHT research (GN1), ethical co-production in research (GN2), and ethics in research participation (GN3). Creative outputs from this work produced in collaboration with Traumascapes will be published next year.
Guidance note one
In this document the team offer guidance on how institutional actors and infrastructural factors may facilitate good ethical governance of modern slavery and human trafficking research. It is aimed primarily at research institutions (I); research ethics committees (II); and research funders (III).
Guidance note two
In this document the team offer guidance to those designing, implementing and delivering research on modern slavery and human trafficking together with lived experience (LE) researchers: often known as peer researchers or independent LE consultants. It is designed to help researcher reflect on their practice; address practical challenges and consider how to work in partnership across organisations, sectors and role types.
Guidance note three
In this document the team answer questions commonly asked by participants when they get involved in research for the first time. It gives particular attention to issues that might concern people with LE of modern slavery and human trafficking.
Key findings and recommendations
The findings pointed to current challenges and opportunities for ethics innovation in four areas of research practice or infrastructure:
- Ethical Governance: a need for greater scrutiny, review and reform of institutional/sectoral or organisational structures to ensure that they provide the necessary infrastructure, resourcing and peer support for ethical research to take place.
- Ethical Co-production and Participatory Methods: a need to develop better and clearer expectations of project onboarding practices for lived experience experts involved in co-produced research either as peer-researchers/consultants or as research participants.
- Adopting a Trauma-Informed Approach: a need for training around how to accommodate trauma in research through a more explicit trauma-informed approach that promotes inclusion, empowerment and choice on the part of those with lived experience.
- Ethical Legacies: a need to consider robustly the legacies of research for all partners/participants from the outset of projects. This will ensure there is scope for all to experience benefits - from career development, training opportunities or improved self-esteem, to sharing of ethical challenges encountered. This will also provide opportunities to improve practice through reflecting on lessons learned.
All stakeholders engaged in MSHT research should be mindful of these four key areas of concern (ethical governance, ethical co-production and participatory methods, adopting a trauma-informed approach, and ethical legacies) and can begin to take short-term non-costed changes in their approaches to research based on the recommendations in this report. Structural changes will be necessary in the longer-term, and this requires an open dialogue between multiple stakeholder groups.
