Synergizing Vulnerability and Cultural Sensitivity in Studying Forced Migrants

This chapter is designated to illuminate the specificity of studying the humanitarian situation of forced migrants in light of their legal and social issues and other realities that impose significant responsibility on researchers studying this vulnerable group. The chapter discusses the ethical issues that might develop in the course of research on forced migrants, focusing on the “Do No Harm” strategy. The chapter explores the relationship between a researcher and the research participants through an ethical lens, the synergy between forced migrants’ vulnerability and cultural sensitivity, and the role of professional bodies in safeguarding refugees during data collection. This chapter explains how the author overcame some methodological dilemmas during the research in preparation for this volume. In the end, the chapter offers a set of suggestions. These include understanding the experience of forced migrants and avoiding overlapping with other minorities. Additionally, it is recommended to work closely with relevant humanitarian organizations and ethical committees to establish a code of conduct for researching forced migration. Ethical professional bodies at universities and research centers should review their ethical codes to include refugees and better accommodate the unique vulnerabilities and cultural backgrounds of refugees.