Ethical issues in irregular migration research in Europe

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the ethical issues arising for researchers engaged in the study of irregular migration. Based on the authors' research experiences, the paper goes beyond analysis of ethical dilemmas and aims to provide some guidance to researchers in this field. Irregular migration is by definition an elusive phenomenon as it takes place in violation of the law and at the margins of society. The very nature of this phenomenon raises important issues, including the sensitivity and vulnerability of the research subjects and a whole series of other ethical issues to be addressed both when conducting fieldwork with irregular migrants and also at the later stage of data analysis, processing and dissemination. The paper first considers various methods in researching irregular migration and defines research ethics. It then discusses the differences between sensitivity and vulnerability and their particular implications for irregular migration research. Next, the paper looks at the ethical challenges arising from fieldwork and discusses the sensitive issues involved in the relationship between researcher, irregular migrant and society. Finally, it discusses the question of disseminating findings (both qualitative and quantitative) to wider audiences. In conclusion, we highlight the key points that we consider to be important when studying irregular migrant populations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Beyond the Border: Clandestine Migration Journeys

“…Some of these apply to studying vulnerable migrant populations in general. 38 However, researching the journey can also present its own unique ethical challenges. The presence of researchers along the route can draw attention to those undertaking clandestine journeys, who may wish to remain hidden.…”

Methodological and Ethical Dilemmas in Research Among Smuggled Migrants

“…This, of course, applies not only to irregular migration or human smuggling but to all research exploring vulnerable individuals' perspectives. Such an approach, however, entails very particular methodological and ethical considerations and demands specific sensitivity and accuracy (Duvell et al 2008;Lee 1993;Liamputtong 2007;Mauthner et al 2002;van den Hoonaard 2002).…”

Researching illegality and labour migration

“…It may more generally be perceived as depleting limited resources (such as welfare benefi ts) by those who have no right to access them (Miller, 2008). 'Illegality' is also the term that is often used by those elements of the mass media that promote and reinforce negative public attitudes to immigration, and illegal immigration in particular (Chavez, 2001;Crawley, 2005;Düvell et al, 2009;Koser, 2009).…”

“…Thus, typically, these studies (with some notable exceptions, such as those generated by regularisation exercises) focus on the impact of 'low-skilled' migrants in general on similar US citizens. Düvell et al (2009) discuss the ethical issues arising not only in the process of conducting research on irregular migration, but also in its dissemination. Like Koser, they observe that the collection and dissemination of quantitative data raises particular ethical challenges and is particularly vulnerable to misuse.…”

“…Some may feel, e.g. that the use of covert observation 'without the consent of any party' (Düvell et al, 2009: in press) as a response to the personal harm that may be caused by openly interviewing irregular migrants in the workplace, may not be 'ethical', while others will disagree. What seems to be important is researcher refl exivity and further debate within the research community, as well as situated negotiation rather than tick box responses.…”