Ethical and Equitable Ways of Working with Migrant Mothers
Ethical and Equitable Ways of Working with Migrant Mothers
Guidelines Document
These guidelines stem from a series of workshops organised by Dana Lungu (University of Bristol) in collaboration with Francesco Bentivegna (University of Bristol), Julia Dixon-Barrow (ACH), Carlota Matos (community artist) and participants (migrant mothers: Maria Faiomy, Barbara Ricci, Elifnaz Durusoy, and Rui Huan) at Barton Hill Micro-campus. The workshops focused on the theme of ethical, equitable and conclusive work with migrant mothers. The guidelines below are the result of a process of co-production between scholars, participants, representatives of ACH and the community artist: Carlota Matos.
The guidelines are a starting point for a wide range of audiences from researchers, practitioners, artists and organisations who are considering working with migrant and refugee mothers. They represent a way of thinking about issues of ethics, accessibility and equitability at all stages of the project. We acknowledge that all projects are different and face different challenges. This is reflected in the spirit with which we advise users to engage with the guidelines as well as their structure. The guidelines are a work in progress, and we will continue to update them based on the feedback we receive.
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
The ethos of engaging with these guidelines should be centred around 4 main principles:
a) Based on participants' input, be prepared to re-assess how your project responds to the guidelines at the three different stages: planning, during project, and after project.
b) Do not make assumptions: ask your team and the participants about their specific needs regarding the guidelines.
c) Be open and flexible to unexpected changes to the guidelines themselves, based on your specific project needs.
d) Perfect is the enemy of good: projects will not fit the needs of every participant; be realistic about what you can compromise on, safely deliver, and be transparent about it.
PLANNING PHASE
1. Reach out to the community.
Questions to ask: Is the project responding to the needs of the community? Does the structure of the project (accessibility, facilities, outcomes) consider the needs of this community?
2. Consider the needs of the participants and embed them in the project.
Questions to ask: Is language a barrier? If so, what options are available? Is the location safe, accessible and inclusive (public transport, family and child friendly area)? Have you considered childcare needs? Will you reimburse travel expenses?
3. Make information accessible and timely.
Questions to ask: How will you communicate the information (be mindful of jargon)? Do you have a public facing page? How will you recruit participants?
4. When using co-creation or co-production methods, consider what that means for your project specifically.
Questions to ask: Can you be flexible in your outcomes and outputs? Is commitment required? Could participation be hybrid?
5. Think of the project team.
Questions to ask: Can you involve more people from the community in different roles? Is there an opportunity for more formal training? Have you considered intersectionality?
6. Always bear in mind the power balance.
Questions to ask: What will the participant bring/gain? What will the facilitator/researcher bring/gain? Are you being clear, honest and transparent about these at all stages of the project?
DURING THE PROJECT
7. Be clear about what you offer in terms of accessibility when advertising projects.
Questions to ask: Can I provide interpreters? Can I organise a crèche or a different form of childcare? Is the space self-contained? Is it step-free access?
8. Work in culturally sensitive ways: be mindful of cultural differences.
Questions to ask: Is the topic a sensitive one for particular cultures? How do I interpret behaviour and how people from other cultures interpret it? Have I considered different cultural norms and customs?
9. Consider wellbeing strategies or provisions for the team and participants.
Questions to ask: Do you need a trained wellbeing/trauma-informed professional in the room? Is follow-up support necessary?
10. Consider how you can make the space/project feel safer and supportive/comfortable for all taking part in the project.
Questions to ask: Would a female-only space help participants feel at ease? Can you have a friendly face from the community in the space/as part of the project? Do you have a prayer room/nursing room?
11. Be clear about how data will be collected and used and offer opportunity to withdraw consent.
Questions to ask: Do the participants have all the information to be able to provide informed consent? (consider jargon) How can you protect participants’ identity? Will photographs or recordings be taken? Will names be used, or initials? Will personal stories be shared?
12. Foster a sense of ownership to increase equitability.
Questions to ask: Are you paying participants (in line with living wage)? Have you considered including participants as authors?
13. Be proactive about feedback from participants and be mindful about different ways of engagement.
Questions to ask: Are you flexible in the structure of the work? Are you acting upon the feedback? What do participants want to be involved in? Consider different needs (visual learners, etc.)
POST-PROJECT
14. Consider the legacy of the project for all involved.
Questions to ask: Can you provide participants with references based on their work and/or certificates of participation? Will the outcomes of the project be available to the wider community/general public? Will the participants be able to use the outcomes of the project for their professional career? (recognition in terms of authorship etc.
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