Responsible research impact: Ethics for making a difference

Description

The workshop focused on the ethical dimensions of engagement and impact in research, led by Eric Jensen, which included discussions on ethical frameworks, stakeholder engagement, and the challenges of establishing consistent standards across institutions. Jensen noted that many institutions lack formal procedures for addressing engagement ethics, complicating the process. Jensen advocated for a triage approach to identify high-risk activities and emphasized the importance of peer discussions to uncover ethical considerations in research impact work.

During the session, Jensen introduced the 3-I framework—interest, influence, and impact—to identify relevant parties, particularly marginalized groups often overlooked in traditional stakeholder analyses. He encouraged collaborative engagement to foster trust and co-ownership of the impact process. Breakout rooms were set up for participants to discuss these concepts further, with Jensen and Joubert circulating to check on progress. The discussions highlighted the challenges faced by early-career researchers and the need for genuine decision-making power sharing to build long-term partnerships.

The final discussions centered on the importance of ethical practices in research, with participants sharing insights on the implications of government contracts and the relevance of research to policy. Jensen emphasized the necessity of an evidence-based approach and the importance of evaluation and accountability in research impact work. Plans for future workshops included improving resource management and adapting participant feedback to enhance engagement strategies. The conversation concluded with reflections on past training activities and the potential for scenario-based approaches to improve training effectiveness.

Period	27 Nov 2024
Event type	Workshop
Degree of Recognition	Local