The DCU Anti-Bullying Centre (ABC) has published the symposium report Re-Imagining Ethics and Research with Children, following a groundbreaking event held on 29 April 2024 at DCU’s All Hallows Campus. The symposium brought together researchers, educators, and professionals from institutions such as Dublin City University, University College Dublin, Barnardos Ireland, and Webwise to explore the ethical challenges of conducting research with children.

Key discussions at the event focused on child-centred and rights-based research methodologies, aligning with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Participants discussed issues of informed consent, power dynamics in research spaces, and the role of children as active contributors rather than passive subjects.

The symposium was opened by Prof. Anne Looney, Executive Dean of the DCU Institute of Education, who emphasised the importance of bridging policy and practice in ethical research. The discussions highlighted the need for reflexivity, adaptability, and participatory approaches that ensure children’s voices are respected and influence decision-making.

The full symposium report, authored by Dr Sinan Aşçı, Dr Megan Reynolds, Dr Sayani Basak, Dr Maryam Esfandiari, and Prof James O’Higgins Norman, is now available.

Read the full report here.