Research interviews can be sensitive for a variety of reasons. For example, they may involve discussion of emotionally difficult topics or deeply personal issues, or be conducted with individuals who are potentially vulnerable or as part of research that could have negative consequences for participants. The ethical considerations when conducting such interviews are complex. The session is designed to equip researchers conducting sensitive research with the understanding, tools and strategies they will need to plan their fieldwork, gain necessary ethical approvals and manage challenges as they arise in the field. The session will consider: 

- the heightened risks for participants taking part in sensitive research and ways to manage these risks;

- researchers' responsibilities and the skills and competencies that are required to conduct sensitive interviews;

- practical challenges that might arise in the field and strategies to manage these; 

- the possible negative effects of conducting sensitive research for researchers themselves and ways to mitigate these. 

Participants are invited to bring their own research projects and examples, experiences, questions and concerns to the session.

Note: Students attending this session are expected to have a solid understanding of the principles of informed consent and are urged to attend the session on Informed consent on 22 October 2025.

Facilitator: Dr Josie Dixon, Assistant Professorial Research Fellow in CPEC, Department of Health Policy, LSE. 

Booking to open soon.

Informed consent is a key legal and ethical principle in the conduct of research involving human subjects, but what does it mean for researchers in practice? This session will provide an overview of the obligations upon researchers to ensure that participants have provided their informed consent. The session will cover basic principles and consider how informed consent is assured in various different contexts such as in-depth interviews, ethnography, social media research, research with children and vulnerable individuals, ‘second-hand’ participation (such as when information about others is provided by research participants), deception and covert research, and data-sharing. The session will provide lots of practical advice about how to manage processes of informed consent, including in situations where it may become tricky to navigate. Participants are invited to bring their own research projects and examples, questions and concerns to the session.  

Note: This session is foundational for the course coming later in the schedule on ‘conducting sensitive interviews’ and students intending to attend that course, are strongly urged to attend this session on Informed consent 

Facilitator: Dr Josie Dixon, Assistant Professorial Research Fellow in CPEC, Department of Health Policy, LSE. 

Booking to open soon.

Research interviews can be sensitive for a variety of reasons. For example, they may involve discussion of emotionally difficult topics or deeply personal issues, or be conducted with individuals who are potentially vulnerable or as part of research that could have negative consequences for participants. The ethical considerations when conducting such interviews are complex. The session is designed to equip researchers conducting sensitive research with the understanding, tools and strategies they will need to plan their fieldwork, gain necessary ethical approvals and manage challenges as they arise in the field. The session will consider: 

- the heightened risks for participants taking part in sensitive research and ways to manage these risks;

- researchers' responsibilities and the skills and competencies that are required to conduct sensitive interviews;

- practical challenges that might arise in the field and strategies to manage these; 

- the possible negative effects of conducting sensitive research for researchers themselves and ways to mitigate these. 

Participants are invited to bring their own research projects and examples, experiences, questions and concerns to the session.

Note: Students attending this session are expected to have a solid understanding of the principles of informed consent and are urged to attend the session on Informed consent on 18 February 2026.

Facilitator: Dr Josie Dixon, Assistant Professorial Research Fellow in CPEC, Department of Health Policy, LSE. 

Booking to open soon.