CBPR as an ethical tool for knowledge democracy

All research raises questions about ethics: about the rigour, responsibility and respect of the practices of researchers. As a result, there are strict systems in place to encourage and enforce ethical practice. However, CBPR creates specific challenges which may not be adequately addressed by institutional frameworks for ethical conduct in research. Where the boundaries between researchers and ‘research subjects’ begin to blur, always consider ethical concerns related to aspects of power, ownership and dissemination of research findings, anonymity, confidentiality and privacy.

Required reading: 

• Juliana F. F. Amauchi, Maeva Gauthier, Abdolzaher Ghezeljeh, Leandro L.L. Giatti, Katlyn Keats, Dare Sholanke, Danae Zachari & Jutta Gutberlet (2021): The power of community-based participatory research: Ethical and effective ways of researching, Community Development, DOI: 10.1080/15575330.2021.1936102. Access PDF here.

The NCCPE lists 7 Ethical Principles. These are worth saving! (One-page PDF here.) Read through these thoroughly.

Additional readings: 

• Catherine Odora Hoppers (2021) Research on Indigenous knowledge systems:the search for cognitive justice, International Journal of Lifelong Education, 40:4, 310-327, DOI:10.1080/02601370.2021.1966109. Access PDF here.
• Marjorie Mbilinyi and Gloria Shechambo2015“Experiences in Transformative Feminist Movement Building at the Grassroots Level in Tanzania” in Akosua Adomako Ampofo, Cheryl R Rodriguez & Dzodzi Tsikata eds Transatlantic Feminisms: Women and Gender Studies in Africa and the African Diaspora exington. Access PDF here.
• Kain et al. (2022) Characteristics, challenges and innovations of waste picker organizations: A comparative perspective between Latin American and East African countries. PLoS ONE 17(7): e0265889. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0265889. Access PDF here.

An example of community empowerment from research:

• Inclusive waste governance and grassroots innovations for social, environmental and economic change:  report on first research outcomes of the project recycling networks & waste governance. Access PDF here.
• Mapping Waste Governance flyer