Ethical Transparency and Development of Data Management Protocols for Sensitive Research in Conflict and Fragile Settings Catalyst Training ProjectPolitical Science

In security and conflict studies, research is conducted to uncover patterns that can help build peace and save lives. But in our push for open science, a world where data is shared freely to verify findings, a dilemma has emerged. What happens when the data we collect is not just numbers, but the intimate, often life-threatening stories of people in troubled regions? Sharing this information, even if anonymized, could make them vulnerable to hostile governments or armed groups.

The aim of this project, is to understand the ethical underpinnings that seeks to bridge the gap. We will create a simple, practical guide and a hands-on workshop to teach researchers how to be transparent without being reckless. By empowering a new generation of global south scholars with the tools to manage sensitive information ethically, we can ensure that our pursuit of scientific rigor never comes at the cost of human safety.