Navigating Researcher Safeguarding, Safety and Wellbeing in High Risk and Sensitive Research- Online

Within current contexts of heightened political polarisation, evolving digital environments and growing scrutiny of research on contentious issues, social science researchers are increasingly required to navigate complex safeguarding considerations. Exposure to distressing and sometimes hateful content can be emotionally taxing and can impact on researchers’ mental health. Researchers who work on sensitive and potentially ‘controversial’ subjects have to contend with the risks of doxxing and online/offline harassment, especially when choosing to become professionally visible in/on (social) media. Risks are significantly heightened for minoritised and marginalised researchers, including female(-presenting), gender non-conforming, neurodiverse, disabled, LGBTQ+ and racialised researchers.

The aim of this course is to support participants in understanding and addressing the ethical, safeguarding, emotional and psychological dimensions of their work, as well as the challenges that come with safely navigating professional visibility – paying particular attention to how risks intersect with identity and career stage. The course will further provide participants with practical guidance how to protect themselves both online and offline, how to create and establish support networks and communities, and to engage constructively with their institutions, including ethical review processes. We will further discuss how researchers can look after their wellbeing, set boundaries and engage in self-care whilst doing high risk and sensitive research.

Please note that this course will be facilitated on Microsoft Teams and will run over two consecutive mornings with the afternoon of Day 1 being used for an individual task to feed back to the group on Day 2. 

THE COURSE EQUATES TO ONE TEACHING DAY FOR PAYMENT PURPOSES.