This is my attempt at a research ethos statement. Thought I've spent a decent amount of time thinking about it, it is a work in progress, & I welcome additional thoughts.
I have a responsibility to
POWER
- Understand how the dynamics of power might shift as a result of my work
- Consider who might be harmed & who might be benefited / who gains & who loses power
- In general, aim for power to flow from those with more to those with less
PEOPLE
- Seek the knowledge of those with relevant experience that manifests beyond typically related scholarship
- Center & involve those affected both intentionally & unintentionally by my work, giving them true agency in the direction & concretely valuing their work
- Recognize the wisdom of community members & welcome critical feedback with grace & humility
PROBLEM-SOLVING
- Work on real, not contrived problems; create real, not contrived solutions
- Recognize that technological change is not always the answer; accept that external problem-solvers (e.g., outside researchers) are not always the answer
- Aspire to solutions that not only reduce but eliminate harm
COMPLEXITY
- Reflect the richness of human experience; avoid boxing people into unnecessary categorization
- Strive to capture & understand the nuances of intersectionality, of apparent contradictions, & of tensions in various tradeoffs
- Accept no magic solutions; be critical where criticism is due