Helen Porter of SOAS, University of London gave a talk on challenges associated with obtaining practical informed consent in Issues of Consent in anthropological and ethnographic Research. Presented at the London Area Research Data meeting held at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine on 17th Nov 2017

1. Issues of Consent in Anthropological and Ethnographic Research
Helen Porter, Digital Services Support Officer, SOAS University of London
Email: hp7@soas.ac.uk Tel: 02078984179
Research Data Management SOAS Website
Use of Personal Data in Research: Code of Practice for SOAS Staff and Students

2. The SOAS Context
● Majority of research with personal data
undertaken overseas
● Sometimes dramatic shifts in the political
climate of regions where data was
collected over the lifetime of a research
project
● Data collection in remote locations and/or
different cultural contexts
● A significant number of projects involving
participant observation and ethnographic
methods
● A close link between data management
and ethical concerns

3. Meaningful Informed Consent
“Research participants should understand what
they are consenting to”
"Consent should not be regarded as freely
given if the data subject has no genuine or free
choice or is unable to refuse or withdraw
consent without detriment."
Village elders providing consent on behalf of a
village
Male of the family giving consent on behalf of
females
What is a data archive or repository?
What does data being made available under
licence on the internet mean?

4. Documenting Informed Consent
“Where processing is based on
consent, the controller shall be
able to demonstrate that the data
subject has consented to
processing of his or her personal
data”
Issues with forms and audio recorders
‘power relationships’
Importance of relationship building
in research
Different concepts of ‘private’ and
‘non-private’ spaces

5. Withdrawal of Consent
“The data subject shall have the right to
withdraw his or her consent at any time. The
withdrawal of consent shall not affect the
lawfulness of processing based on consent before
its withdrawal. Prior to giving consent, the data
subject shall be informed thereof. It shall be as
easy to withdraw as to give consent”
True ability to make the request for
withdrawal of consent NB. Also applies to
right to access personal data and right to
make a complaint

6. Debating These Issues
Monday 19th February 12.30-17.00
Data Debates (Anthropology):
Research Data Manager Meets
Researcher
Co-ordinated by SOAS - Location
TBC
https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/22407/
UPCOMING EVENT