Research, Ethics, & Protection Policy

Research among vulnerable societies caught in the conflict and post-conflict settings, is a difficult task. We take every step, to alleviate their suffering, whist protecting their wellbeing and dignity during research intervention to support their needs.

Our critical research and empirical findings are shared with organisations and institutions to develop policy, open up debate, and where possible, to mediate issues through alternative dispute resolution, in the hope of transforming systemic structural violence.

“The paradigm shift in international conflict conduct has is greatest impact on the vulnerable. The shift from human security to insecurity, a change from humanitarian principles to unprincipled inhumane indifference, and a shift from safeguarding, to power elite abuseguarding. A world where abuses and abuser are guarded, and where civil societies are collateral. ”
— Dr William W. Thomson

Research & Methodology

Conflicts, challenge us to think outside of traditional constructs. Conflicts are not simple unidimensional occurrences, rather, they are complex, multi-layered phenomena, that require a protracted engagement to understand, historical factors; conflict dynamics; the human needs of each conflict-society group; they require people to people reconciliation; mediation at the political, social and religious spheres; and internationally, they require a theoretical and practice based approach at managing, resolving and transforming the negative peace that the exists.

Historical analysis

Understanding the Past in and for the Present

People to People Praxis (P2P)

Engaging the Verbal Narrative on the Ground

Conflict Dynamics

Uncovering Conflict Causes & Processes

Peacemaking

Mediating Social, Political, and Religious Spaces

Human Needs

Mapping Conflict Actor(s) Human Needs

The Conflict Approach

Managing, Resolving & Transforming Conflict

Protection & Safeguarding

  • In today’s world, research and data are uncovering saddening events and breaches of international law, human rights and civil liberties.

    Power actors are becoming more belligerent in the face of hard empirical data, and are failing to address solutions to world problems.

    We engage these difficult dimensions, through policy, advocacy, and mediation, seeking solutions with difficult actors for those in need.

  • Humanitarian research ethics and principles are a set of guidelines that researchers must follow when conducting research in humanitarian settings. These principles are designed to protect the rights and well-being of research participants, who are often vulnerable populations.

    The four core humanitarian principles are:

    • Humanity: Researchers must respect the dignity and rights of all human beings.

    • Impartiality: Researchers must not discriminate against any person or group of people.

    • Neutrality: Researchers must not take sides in any conflict or dispute.

    • Independence: Researchers must be free from any political or other influence.

    In addition to these core principles, there are a number of other ethical considerations that researchers must take into account, such as:

    Informed consent: Research participants must be fully informed about the research and must give their voluntary consent to participate.

    Confidentiality: Researchers must protect the confidentiality of research participants.

    Do no harm: Researchers must not do any harm to research participants.

    Justice: Researchers must ensure that the benefits of research are distributed fairly.

    Humanitarian research ethics and principles are essential for ensuring that research is conducted in a responsible and ethical manner. By following these principles, researchers can help to protect the rights and well-being of research participants.

  • The Edinburgh Peace Institute (EPI) is committed to research ethics as an engagement, that upholds the rights of vulnerable groups, their safety, security and wellbeing. Our safeguarding policy approach includes the following principles of engagement for vulnerable groups, and for the wellbeing of the team at EPI:

    Protection: The protection of individuals, conflict societies, children, and vulnerable adults, is our primary concern, including the protection of research professionals engaging in this area. This policy applies to all research activities conducted by or under the auspices of [The Edinburgh Peace Institute]. Protection covers all forms of harm, including Physical abuse, Sexual abuse, Emotional abuse, Neglect, Financial abuse, Discrimination, Harassment, Bullying.

    Prevention: EPI will take all reasonable steps to prevent harm from occurring, during our training, research, and/or mediation activities, to protect vulnerable groups.

    Proportionality: Our responses to safeguarding concerns will be proportionate to the risk presented, neutral, and balanced, while considering the complexities that lead to human needs deterioration in conflict, that affect vulnerable groups.

    Partnership: We will work in partnership with other agencies and organisations to safeguard individuals, learn new approaches, and support the development of safeguarding policy. EPI will liaise with specialists to inform our research programs for best safeguarding practise in research engagement.

    Accountability: EPI are accountable for our safeguarding practices, and will implement best practise in research ethics to carry out work with vulnerable groups in conflict, seeking support where needed to inform robust research ethics.

    Transparency: We will be transparent about our safeguarding policies and procedures.

    Participation: EPI will provide full ethical guidelines for those engaging in our research and projects, including the right of vulnerable groups to be given information and to express themselves during research, or withdraw at any time of their choosing.

    To report a safeguarding issue, or too request a copy of our safeguarding policy, please inquire at: safe@edinburghpeaceinstitute.org