Expert interview with Stig Børsen Hansen
Stig Børsen Hansen is the external ethics advisor to EPIC-WE. With his extensive background in philosophy, empirical studies on ethical trainings, and his role on the Research Ethics Committee at the University of Southern Denmark, Hansen brings invaluable expertise, helping us in our commitment as well as practice to involve young people in a recognised and fair manner throughout EPIC-WE.
In this expert interview we take a more granular look at what it means to ethically involve young people in projects such as EPIC-WE, exploring principles of openness, agency and ongoing reflection.
A balancing act: ‘codified’ and ‘experiential’ ethics
“Teaching ethics involves navigating two distinct dimensions,” Hansen explains. “Firstly, there are the codifiable aspects: informed consent, security of data, clear communication, and intellectual property rights. These can, and should be, explicitly taught.” However, ethics go far beyond the ‘codifiable’. There is a less tangible dimension that is crucial here, which is more “fine-grained and experiential” but it is just as important as the more straightforward elements in ethical practices.
Stig Hansen emphasises that ongoing reflection and dialogue are essential. “We need continuous conversations about the subtle ethical implications of our interactions with young people. How do we position them? How do we engage with them fairly? These are questions that should continually inform our approach.”
Ethical considerations in youth engagement
When it comes to engaging youth in projects, Hansen stresses the importance of truly recognising and reflecting upon their actual agency: “Young people, especially teenagers, can and should have a say in consent processes.” His main advise on this is to ensure that communication is clear, and always in dialogue, and also to be conscious of understanding and respecting young people’s capabilities.
Moreover, Hansen stressed the need to be mindful about normative framings: “Projects like EPIC-WE inherently have normative dimensions, such as raising consciousness around European values. While valuable, it is crucial that young participants (and potentially their parents or carers) are clearly informed about the project’s goals and motivations.”
Creating spaces for genuine expression
To ethically involve youth, Hansen recommends establishing conditions that are conducive for authentic feedback and expression. “It’s important to have forums where young people can freely express their thoughts, including subversive or playful feedback,” he suggests, referencing a study by fellow Advisory Board member Mary Flanagan. Hansen emphasises paying close attention to youth voices and behaviours that may indicate dissent, boredom, or disagreement, as these can provide valuable insights into ethical engagement and reflection.
Recognition and fairness as cornerstones
Regarding fairness when it comes to EPIC-WE’s Youth Advisory Board, Hansen highlights the necessity of understanding young people’s motivations and needs. While researchers and institutions are getting something they need from the interact with young participants, we should also ask: “Are youths getting something valuable out of this engagement, such as professional networks, academic credits, or certificates?” and he adds that we should be genuinely open to their own ideas about what they could get out of their participation. He encourages EPIC-WE to directly inquire about participants’ expectations and their preferred forms of recognition or compensation. Hansen offered some practical suggestions, such as structured academic recognition or opportunities to build professional networks, to ensure that participants feel appropriately acknowledged and respected for their contributions.
Ethics are always an ongoing conversation
For Hansen, ethical youth engagement cannot be adequately captured by a checklist with all the boxes ticked, but requires ongoing dialogue.
“Being ethical researchers means continually adjusting our practices through reflection and open conversation. By genuinely listening to and respecting young people, EPIC-WE can ensure ethical integrity and meaningful participation.”
Hansen’s insights reflect on EPIC-WE’s core values when it comes to youth empowerment and fair practices. Highlighting the necessity of integrating both codified ethical guidelines and more reflective, experiential aspects into the cultural game jams and the overarching practices involving youth, such as the Youth Advisory Board members, thereby ensuring meaningful and ethically sound youth involvement.
