Research Ethics

DEFINITION

What is research ethics?

Research ethics is the set of principles and guidelines that ensure research is conducted with integrity, respect, and accountability. It protects the rights, dignity, and welfare of participants and communities.

Why ethics matter

Ethical research is not a bureaucratic hurdle — it is the foundation of trust. Without ethics, research can harm individuals, exploit communities, and undermine public confidence in science.

Protects participants from harm and exploitation
Ensures data integrity and scientific validity
Builds trust between researchers and communities
Guides responsible use of resources and findings

Our ethical commitment

At Utafiti Wellness, ethics are embedded in every stage of our work — from design to dissemination. We adhere to international standards and local regulations, and we go beyond compliance to embrace the spirit of ethical practice.

Compliance with Kenyan and international guidelines
Institutional review and community oversight
Transparent reporting and data sharing
Continuous ethics training for all staff and partners

Good research ethics is not about ticking boxes — it is about doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.

— UWRA Ethics Committee

OUR PRINCIPLES

Core ethical principles

These internationally recognised principles form the bedrock of our ethical approach.

Respect for persons

We recognise the autonomy of individuals and communities. All participation is voluntary, based on informed consent, and we pay special attention to vulnerable groups.

Beneficence

We strive to maximise benefits and minimise harms. Every study is designed to generate knowledge that can improve health and well‑being, while safeguarding participants.

Justice

We ensure that the burdens and benefits of research are distributed fairly. We prioritise research that addresses the needs of underserved and marginalised communities.

Confidentiality

We protect the privacy of participants through secure data handling, anonymisation, and strict access controls. Participants' identities are never disclosed without explicit permission.

Integrity

We conduct research with honesty, transparency, and accountability. We avoid fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism, and we disclose any conflicts of interest.

Community engagement

We involve communities in the research process, from priority setting to dissemination. We respect local knowledge and ensure that research responds to community needs.

OUR PROCESS

How we ensure ethical research

Every research project undergoes a rigorous ethics review and is monitored throughout its lifecycle.

📋 1. Submission

→

🔍 2. Review

→

🔄 3. Monitoring

→

📢 4. Reporting

📋 Submission & Screening

Researchers submit a detailed ethics application, including study protocols, informed consent forms, data management plans, and risk assessments. Our ethics committee screens each submission for completeness.

All projects must be reviewed before commencement
Expedited review for minimal‑risk studies
Full board review for higher‑risk research

🔍 Independent Review

A multidisciplinary ethics committee — including community representatives — evaluates the study's ethical soundness, focusing on participant protection, informed consent, and community benefit.

External reviewers for specialised topics
Community members on the review panel
Clear feedback and conditions for approval

🔄 Ongoing Monitoring

We monitor studies throughout their implementation to ensure compliance with approved protocols and to address any emerging ethical issues promptly.

Annual progress reports and renewals
Site visits and participant feedback
Adverse event reporting and response

📢 Transparent Reporting

We share findings in accessible formats with participants, communities, and policymakers. We also publish our ethics procedures and outcomes to promote accountability.

Community feedback sessions
Plain‑language summaries of results
Open access to data where appropriate

CAPACITY BUILDING

Ethics training and support

We invest in building ethical competence across our teams and partners.

In‑house training

All UWRA staff and fellows receive comprehensive training on research ethics, including informed consent, data protection, and vulnerable populations.

Annual ethics refresher courses
Case‑based learning and simulations
Tailored modules for different roles

Community ethics awareness

We work with communities to raise awareness about research ethics, including their rights as participants and how to raise concerns.

Community dialogue sessions
Plain‑language materials and visual aids
Feedback and grievance mechanisms

Partner support

We extend ethics training and resources to our collaborating institutions and community‑based organisations to strengthen the broader research ecosystem.

Workshops for partner organisations
Shared ethics resources and templates
Joint ethics review and learning

RESOURCES

Ethics resources and tools

We provide practical guidance to support ethical research practice.

Ethics application toolkit

Templates, checklists, and guidance for preparing ethics applications — from informed consent forms to data protection protocols.

Ethics guidelines and policies

Download our institutional ethics policy, standard operating procedures, and reference documents aligned with national and international standards.

Training videos and webinars

Recorded sessions on key ethics topics, including informed consent, community engagement, and data sharing.

Ethics helpdesk

Have a question? Our ethics team is available to provide guidance on specific ethical issues or concerns.