Ethics in Global Health Research Lunchtime Talk-Dr. Mala Ramanathan

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Zoom link: https://harvard.zoom.us/j/6934308352

Lunchtime talk with Dr. Mala Ramanthan. Professor, Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies, India

Obtaining informed consent is a necessary component of research processes. A pandemic situation where the very act of meeting can add to the risk of participation calls for revisiting the process of informed consent using alternative means of communication and documentation. the use of other forms of communication such as mobile phones which enable transmission of information and systematically documenting consent came into use. However, use of such communication means is also a marker of privilege. Not all participants enjoy access to technology that enables such communication. To ensure universal participation in research, there is a need for inclusive means of communication, without creating hierarchies within sub-groups of the population. This talk will focus on one such process, using an example of social science research in health undertaken during the pandemic period in Kerala state, India.