The humanizing and dehumanizing effects of the research ethics process: an auto ethnographic reflection by a panel chair.

Authors: Beer, S.

Conference: Humanising care, health and wellbeing conference

Dates: 21-22 June 2018

Abstract:

Dr Sean Beer Bournemouth University, sbeer@bournemouth.ac.uk Background All Bournemouth University research is required to undergo a process of ethical reflection, the formal part of this process may involve deliberation by a research ethics panel. I have been a panel chair for more than four years.

Aim To reflect, using an auto ethnographic approach, on my experiences as a research ethics panel chair

Method According to Holman Jones et al (2013, p. 22) auto ethnography is, “the use of personal experience to examine and/or critique cultural experience.” They go on to say that the purpose of autoethnography is to disrupt the norms of research practice and representation; to work from insider knowledge; to manoeuvre through pain, confusion, anger and uncertainty and make life better; and to break silence, (re) claiming voice and writing to right. But why would a panel chair be thinking in this way, after all panel chairs are the ones in a position of power.

Findings I think that ethical reflection is central to the research process and that it is not unreasonable that professional researchers should be able to, and be required to, explain the ethical basis of their work. Researchers use public resources and in many cases ‘take from their unrewarded participants’ time and experience. In effect ethical review is a humanizing process designed to mediate the potential to dehumanize people by using them. Conversely many researchers seem to find the process by which they are held accountable to be dehumanising, venting their disdain, sarcasm or in some cases aggression onto the panel chair. We do bleed.

Conclusion I understand that there are two sides to every story (probably more), but all is not necessarily how it first appears.

Holman Jones, S., Adams, T. E. and Ellis, C., 2016. Coming to know autoethnography is more than a method. In: S. H. Jones, T. E. Adams and C. Ellis (Eds.), Handbook of autoethnography (pp. 17-48). Abingdon: Routledge.

Source: Manual