There has been growing recognition among scholars, students, and activists that traditional approaches to research ethics may fall short when it comes to addressing issues related to power dynamics, privilege, and oppression. This is particularly true for those who identify as LGBTQ+, whose experiences are often marginalized within academic discourse. To address this gap, some have proposed incorporating queer perspectives into research ethics training to promote greater understanding and awareness of these issues.
How can such an approach be implemented effectively? In this article, we will explore strategies for transforming research ethics training to incorporate lived experience, reflexivity, and anti-oppressive frameworks using a queer lens.
One potential strategy is to center the voices and experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals in research ethics training. This could involve incorporating personal narratives and stories from queer scholars, students, and activists into the curriculum. By hearing about their unique struggles and triumphs, trainees would gain valuable insight into the ways that power and privilege can play out in different contexts.
Engaging with diverse lived experiences could help to challenge assumptions and preconceptions about what constitutes "good" or "bad" research practices.
Another important aspect of queering research ethics training is promoting self-reflexivity. Trainees should be encouraged to reflect on their own positionality and biases, and how they might impact their work. This could include exploring questions like: How do my identities shape my approach to research? What types of knowledge am I seeking, and why? What kinds of relationships do I form with research participants, and how do these influence my findings? By engaging in this kind of critical reflection, trainees may become more aware of how their own privileges and prejudices can impact their research and analysis.
Incorporating anti-oppressive frameworks into research ethics training can help ensure that all voices are heard and valued equally. This might involve teaching trainees to prioritize the perspectives of those who have been historically marginalized or oppressed within academia, such as women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals. It could also involve challenging normative approaches to research design, methodology, and dissemination that may perpetuate structural inequalities.
Trainees could learn how to conduct participatory action research, where community members are actively involved in every stage of the research process, from planning to implementation to analysis. By doing so, they would be better equipped to address the needs and concerns of diverse communities and promote social change.
By centering lived experience, promoting self-reflexivity, and incorporating anti-oppressive frameworks, queer perspectives can transform research ethics training to create a more just and inclusive academic culture. By encouraging trainees to reflect on their own positionality and biases, and by valuing the perspectives of those who have been traditionally marginalized, we can create a new generation of researchers who are committed to equity and justice in their work.
How can queer perspectives transform research ethics training to incorporate lived experience, reflexivity, and anti-oppressive frameworks?
Queer perspectives have the potential to transform research ethics training by incorporating lived experience, reflexivity, and anti-oppressive frameworks. This approach encourages participants to examine their assumptions and biases while acknowledging the unique experiences of marginalized communities. It also emphasizes the importance of intersectionality, recognizing that individuals' identities are shaped by multiple factors such as race, gender, class, and ability.