Ethics for Whom?

In the recent times, a lot of attention has been given within the social sciences and humanities research in the Global North to focus on the Global South in addressing the global sustainability challenges. This has resulted in several translational research initiatives between North and South to collect rigorous evidence through field work for development-oriented projects. Conducting fieldwork in the Global South is particularly challenging in terms of logistical complications, health and safety issues, cultural differences, language barriers, and much more.

Our poster titled ETHICS FOR WHOM? summarises the findings of a research project that examines the key challenges of ethical practices in conducting field research in the Global South. The study adopted a participatory and dialogical approach, engaging with diverse participants through focus group interviews. Participants included Early career researchers from India Indonesia, Netherlands, Portugal, Turkey, UK, each navigating different ethical dilemmas. The key findings advocate for a radical shift in understanding 'what ethics is' and emphasise the need for a disruptive language for research.

The findings have been illustrated in a poster format, co-produced with participants through active feedback and incorporation of their suggestions into the final output. The poster is designed to be accessible, using simple language and clear visual concepts. It features a creative layout that integrates text and visuals to effectively communicate the complex ethical issues discussed in the research. The design process involved iterative collaboration with participants to ensure that the content is not only informative but also engaging and reflective of their insights. This innovative approach aims to bridge the gap between academic research and practical application, making the poster a dynamic tool for sparking further dialogue on ethics in field research.