Revisiting the un/ethical: the complex ethics of elite studies research

Karen Lillie,Pere Ayling

doi:10.1177/1468794120965361

Karen Lillie, Pere Ayling

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1177/1468794120965361

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Abstract

Current ethical codes inadequately speak to the complexities of researching elite groups. These groups contribute to broader inequalities and yet are protected from scrutiny by their own resources and, in the research context, ethical guidelines. For this reason, Gaztambide-Fernández (2015) called for those researching elite groups to adopt an ‘un/ethical’ position. This position circumvents conventional ethical codes to disrupt the power of research participants. In this paper, we put forward a considered assessment of this position. We reflect on and theorise our own experiences in the field from this ethical perspective, paying particular attention to our multifaceted insider/outsider statuses. We find that an un/ethical position offers short-term benefits but also does long-term damage to the elite studies scholar community. Thus, we counter-propose a way forward that dismantles power relations while avoiding the drawbacks of the un/ethical approach. Our proposal continues a necessary discussion around the ethics of elite studies research.

Highlights

Ethical principles are meant to guide a researcher’s behaviour before, during and after fieldwork
Elite studies scholars have reflected on challenges around gaining access (Sowatey and Tankebe, 2019), managing and utilising one’s positionalities (Berbary, 2014; Mercader et al, 2015), interviewing (Berry, 2002; Harvey, 2011; Lancaster, 2017) and disseminating results (Gaztambide-Fernández, 2015; Ostrander, 1995). Many of these challenges arise from the unique configurations of power between researchers and their participants – members of elite groups – that characterise this area of research
We review the notion of an un/ethical position, as put forth by Gaztambide-Fernández (2015)

Summary

Introduction

Central premise of ethics is a researcher’s sense of responsibility and duty of care towards his/her research subjects. Elite studies scholars have reflected on challenges around gaining access (Sowatey and Tankebe, 2019), managing and utilising one’s positionalities (Berbary, 2014; Mercader et al, 2015), interviewing (Berry, 2002; Harvey, 2011; Lancaster, 2017) and disseminating results (Gaztambide-Fernández, 2015; Ostrander, 1995) Many of these challenges arise from the unique configurations of power between researchers and their participants – members of elite groups – that characterise this area of research. Gaztambide-Fernández (2015) started an important conversation around the inadequacy of ethical guidelines to address the particularity of researching elites He put forward a robust and provocative case for researchers of elite groups to adopt a different ethic, which he termed an ‘un/ethical’ position. This way forward recognises the tensions between our desire for social justice and our important desire for elite studies research to continue

Theorising research ethics

Our experiences in the field

Our research designs

Author biographies