January 2024

Samuel Hall, in partnership with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine  have formulated Ethical Guidelines for Research on Forced Labour, setting a new benchmark and framework for safeguarding forced migrants’ rights in research; funded by the United States Department of Labor.

The guidelines provide a clear framework for addressing the complex ethical considerations in forced labour research, focusing on informed consent, privacy, and harm reduction. They serve as a guide for ethical research practices, ensuring the protection and respect of participants within this sensitive area of study.

Offering an ‘Ethical Checklist’ for all phases of the research; they serve as a compass guiding researchers through the ethical complexities of data collection, analysis, and dissemination, ensuring that the welfare of child participants is at the forefront.

These guidelines serve as a toolkit for researchers, encapsulating decision trees, checklists, and strategies for ethical dilemmas. They are designed to inspire a shift towards methodologies that not only generate insights but also protect and empower participants, particularly those at risk of or affected by forced labour.

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