Catchup – Salon – Research Ethics and Consent for Beginners

In this session we talk about Research Ethics and Consent for Beginners.

Imagine being part of a groundbreaking research project that promises to change the world, only to realise later that the participants never fully understood what they signed up for. Research ethics and consent are not just bureaucratic hurdles but the cornerstone of any credible scientific endeavour. How do we ensure that the pursuit of knowledge doesn’t trample on human rights? And how do you persuade an ethics committee to approve your research? Today, in the Salon we explore the often overlooked, yet critically important, principles of ethics and consent in research. For beginners in the field, understanding these principles is not just about following rules—it’s about respecting the dignity and autonomy of every individual who contributes to scientific progress. Let’s discuss, and get your views, alongside our brilliant experts.

Kemba Hadaway-Morgan – holds a BA(Honours) in Criminology with Psychological Studies, from The Open University (2014), an MSc in Social Work from Swansea University (2017) and an MSc in Social Science Research Methods from Cardiff University (2021). She is now a second year PhD student at Cardiff University, working on her thesis titled “Race, Ethnicity and Dementia: A qualitative study to explore the ways African Caribbean People’s dementia care needs are understood and perceived by social workers in Wales.”

Danielle Wilson – manages the UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology (CR&T) Centre. She is responsible for both the operational management of the Centre and our commercial collaborations. Previously, Danielle acted as Director and Clinical Research Domain Lead at West London NHS Trust leading an NHS facility conducting large clinical trials with both healthy individuals and those with cognitive impairment and dementia. I have extensive experience in clinical research leadership and management and also chairs a Health Research Authority Research Ethics Committee. She has a great working knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act, the Confidentially Advisory Group and section 251 approval.