Doing or Not Doing Interviews with LGBTQ+ Youth in State Care: Ethics of Care and Collective Non-Consent in a 'Failed' Interview Study

This presentation explores the ethical complexities encountered during a qualitative research project aimed at interviewing LGBTQ+ youth in state care. Despite initial approval from the Swedish Ethical Review Authority, the study faced significant challenges in recruiting participants, leading to a decision to halt the interviews. Using a theoretical framework of ethics of care and the concept of consent, I discuss how various forms of care were expressed by gatekeepers and professionals, ultimately resulting in a collective non-consent. The study highlights the importance of continuous ethical reflection and the potential need to abandon research plans to protect vulnerable groups. The findings underscore the ethical responsibility of researchers to prioritize the well-being of participants over the pursuit of data, especially when dealing with marginalized populations. This case study contributes to the broader discourse on ethical research practices and the nuanced understanding of consent in qualitative research.

Students, employees and the interested public. The seminar room is accessible by wheelchair.