A new Research Ethics Group for NGOs
In partnership with Family for Every Child and Children Unite, we are launching a Child Research Ethics Group (CREG) where you can submit your research for review.
Who are we?
We are a group of researchers from Family for Every Child, Childen Unite 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 Child Research Ethics Group (CREG)?
You might already be familiar with Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) or ‘Ethics Committees’ having a look at your research proposal and plans. 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.
Our Child Research Ethics Group (CREG) 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 CREG 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 CREG, 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 CREG 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 ‘CREG Reviewer’ and we’ll get back to you with next steps!
How can I submit my protocol?
Send an email to research@tdh.nl with the subject ‘CREG Submission’ and we’ll get back to you with the next steps!
