Seminar on research ethics

Research is usually driven by interest. This is also true of research in diaconia, professional practice and religion and spirituality. Many scholars are familiar with the subject matter from their own experience or have a personal connection to the field. This has both advantages and disadvantages.

Insider knowledge can help them to ask relevant questions and analyse their data in the most practice-relevant way. However, proximity to the field carries the risk of bias. It can also lead to thinking so internally that broader perspectives are overlooked.

In this seminar about research ethics, we take a closer look at the challenges and opportunities of studying your “own”. Associate Professor Elisabeth Stubberud from NTNU begins with reflection based on her chapter “Research Close to Own Life: Experiences and Dilemmas When Research Gets Too Close” from the edited volume about “Ethical Discomfort” in research. The second lecturer is Professor Inger Marie Lid, from VID, who will share her thoughts on being employed at a diaconal specialized university and researching about diaconia and churches.

The first part of the seminar concludes with a response from research ethics expert and Associate Professor Anne Raustøl who is also the coordinator of the research ethics forum at VID.
After a break, three PhD scholars from VID, Liv Hilde Myrseth Briså, Eline Svenneby Halvorsen and Stephen Rodriguez-Elizalde, will reflect on their experience of working on projects closely linked to their professional work or personal lives. Building on their contributions, we will continue the discussion about closeness to research in small groups, relating it to our own work. We conclude the day with a plenary debate. 

You can participate in the seminar either digitally or on campus.

Coffee and tea, fruit and snacks will be served.

Warmly welcome!

Contact person

Annette Rose Leis-Peters