THL develops community-based ethical guidelines for Roma research
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) is preparing the first of its kind ethical guidelines specifically for research concerning Roma people. The aim of the guidelines is to strengthen the community-based approach in research ethics and to build trust between researchers and the Roma community.
“Our aim is to ensure that research is designed and implemented with full regard for the particular characteristics of the Roma community at every stage of the research process,” says research professor Anu Castaneda from THL.
The creation of these guidelines is pioneering even internationally: no equivalent guidelines focusing specifically on Roma research currently exist elsewhere in the world. The work draws inspiration from the ethical guidelines for research concerning the Sámi people, published in 2024.
The guidelines support both researchers and communities
The ethical guidelines apply broadly to data collection and research and can also be used in development projects. In addition to Roma research, the guidelines can be applied to studies involving other cultural and ethnic minorities.
The Roma research guidelines complement the general ethical principles of universities and research institutes by introducing Roma-specific questions and contextual assessment.
“If research does not take a community-based perspective into account, it may, at worst, weaken interaction and increase mistrust. The guidelines now under preparation will support researchers in conducting research in a way that benefits all parties,” says senior researcher Marko Stenroos from THL.
Co-creation ensures that knowledge reaches the Roma community
The development of the guidelines involves both an academic expert group and a group of professionals working with Roma affairs, including several experts with a Roma background. This collaborative approach ensures that different perspectives and voices are recognised and that knowledge about the principles of ethical research is also shared within the Roma community.
The expert group is chaired by counsellor of education Henry Hedman. The Vice Chair is research professor Anu Castaneda (THL), and the secretary is senior researcher Marko Stenroos (THL).
The ethical guidelines are being developed as part of THL’s project Active Agency – Services Promoting Equality, Non-Discrimination and Inclusion. The project strengthens the inclusion and equality of migrants, victims of human trafficking, and the Roma population. It is co-funded by the European Union.
Marko Stenroos
senior researcher
[email protected]
