Open knowledge and the ethics of sensitive research

This talk was presented at the University of Manchester Open Research Conference, 9-10 June 2025.

This presentation examines the ethical complexities of openly sharing knowledge in suicide and self-harm research. While researchers are encouraged—and often required by funders—to widely disseminate their findings, there is limited discourse on the potential risks of full transparency in this sensitive field. Therefore, this presentation explores both the benefits and risks of open access in the context of sensitive research, with particular attention paid to suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders.

On one hand, publicly funded research should be accessible to taxpayers, and open knowledge promotes scientific progress and accountability. On the other, unrestricted access to sensitive data could unintentionally provide harmful information to vulnerable individuals.

To address this challenge, the presentation will argue the importance of balancing the principles of openness with ethical responsibility. It proposes strategies and considerations for safely sharing sensitive research, ensuring that dissemination practices protect vulnerable populations while informing and empowering survivors, the bereaved, researchers, and community stakeholders. Through this reflective exploration, the presentation advocates for a nuanced approach to openness— one that carefully balances transparency with ethical responsibility, particularly when dealing with sensitive and potentially harmful research areas.