Ethics

The Williamson Trust adopts an Ethics Policy based on guidelines published by the British Academy.

The Williamson Trust requires the projects it funds to be conducted in an ethical manner.

The following considerations apply to all projects:

• Accurate reporting of findings and a commitment to enabling others to replicate results where possible;
• Fair dealing in respect of other persons and their intellectual property;
• Proper employment conditions for staff;
• Honesty to project staff and community members about the purpose, methods and intended and possible use of the project results and any risks involved;
• Confidentiality of information supplied by those involved in the project (unless otherwise agreed); and
• Impartiality of those involved in the project towards its subject.

Additionally, projects may raise one or more of the following considerations:

• The involvement of human participants;
• The involvement of human remains (e.g. traceable to living descendants);
• The use of non-human animals;
• Destructive analysis of historic artifacts;
• Projects that may result in damage to the natural or historic environment;
• The use of sensitive social, economic or political data.

Wherever necessary, appropriate consent should be obtained from or on behalf of participants or others affected by the work.

Applicants should indicate whether their proposed project raises any special ethical issues, and whether their application has been approved by the relevant authority.

Projects that do not have access to formal ethical scrutiny and approval should briefly describe any special ethical issues, and explain how they will be addressed.