G.03. Can the Children Speak? Ethical Conundrums in Fostering Young People’s Participation in Research and Education.

The purpose of the panel is to identify and address ethical dilemmas that arise from research and educational practices with children and adolescents, acknowledging these groups as often marginalized by a widespread adultcentric system. On the contrary our aim is to explore how to value children and adolescents’ expertise, with particular attention to marginalised groups (on the basis of gender, sexuality, race, class and ability) in order to challenge social, educational, epistemological and cultural injustice.

Recognising age as a key factor in marginalising and oppressing children, prompts ethical questions related to their participation in research and education. These questions directly address the positioning of the researcher or educator. How is power negotiated within asymmetrical relationships? How can this power be leveraged for the benefit of children? How do researchers or educators position themselves when operating within oppressive contexts?

The panel also addresses the complexities of visibility and invisibility, participants' protagonism and privacy, as well as recognizing children’s needs. Relevant questions arise about the legitimacy and intellectual property of knowledge and any artefacts produced by young people while stressing methods and processes involved in assessing the outcomes of research or educational projects.

We welcome contributions on the following topics with regard to both research and educational experiences:

- Theoretical proposals and critical analyses relating to ethical issues involving children from marginalised groups;

- Negotiation processes in involving children, including their adults caregivers;

- Informed consent collection processes;

- Participatory methodology including visual and creative methods;

- Co-construction and dissemination of knowledge.