A new Research Ethics Group for NGOs

In partnership with Family for Every Child, we are launching a Research Ethics Group (REG) where you can submit a research proposal for review.

Who are we?

We are a group of researchers from Family for Every Child and Terre des Hommes Netherlands who are passionate about ethical research practice. Our work centres around child protection, and we feel strongly about safe and meaningful child participation.

What is a Research Ethics Group (REG)?

You might already be familiar with Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) or ‘Ethics Committees’ having submitted your research to one in the past. They are usually relied upon for reviewing research protocols and providing feedback on overlooked issues or pushing for adjustments to ensure ethical research practice. And while many of these comprise well-established, thoughtful researchers, they are often housed in academic institutions, in high-income countries, available only to a select few – often for steep costs. These traditional types of review boards are often criticised for taking a long time to review, only reviewing at certain periods in the year, being too risk averse when it comes to research with children who have experienced violence, and are not well versed in meaningful child participation.

A Research Ethics Group (REG) is a body of practitioners and academics with extensive experience (both lived and learned) involved in research with vulnerable children, from all over the world, and from different stages in their career.

Why did we set one up?

As NGOs who are not connected to higher education institutes, we have almost no possibilities for seeking external ethical approval of our research. At the same time, providing an ethics statement is now often mandatory for publishing and conferences. We feel strongly that having someone external review our ideas truly makes us better researchers. So we set up our own!

Our new REG is by and for organisations wanting to create long-term, sustainable change for children. We will do exactly the same as a traditional ethics committee – and more! We can review protocols for forthcoming studies among vulnerable child populations and provide an impartial, constructive review of your proposal.

By submitting to our REG, we aim to start a conversation on ethics. As well as being a set of external eyes to review your proposed work, we also want to learn from your experience and hope to maintain an open line of communication throughout your study.

Who is this REG for?

NGOs, independent researchers and anyone without access to Institutional Review Boards. You can be an early, mid-career or senior researcher and your work will likely focus on violence against children or youth.

How can I be a reviewer?

Send an email to research@tdh.nl with the subject ‘REG Reviewer’ and we’ll get back to you with next steps!