Dr. Ghaiath Hussein

Summary

This project aims to conduct an empirically informed and philosophically robust ethical analysis of health-related human research undertaken during armed conflicts. It adopts an empirical bioethics approach that combines the collection and analysis of empirical data with traditional philosophical analysis. The empirical data includes collected using a systematic review of the studies conducted in armed conflicts, followed by a qualitative project with the affected populations. The qualitative findings are used to inform the philosophical discussion where the lines of arguments suggested by the project participants1 and the literature were scrutinized. This empirically informed approach was chosen to overcome some of the shortcomings of the use of an abstract philosophical theorization when applied alone to an applied ethics field like humanitarian (research) ethics. Four main themes emerged and are discussed in the light of the relevant literature. The overall thesis is that the mainstream research ethical governance models are inadequate to ethically guide humanitarian activities as they lack the needed moral representativeness and operational feasibility. To overcome these problems, I argue that ethical oversight should shift from individualistic autonomy-based bioethics to relational autonomy and trust-based bioethics and from committee-based to community-situated governance models.

Funding Agency

Wellcome Trust

Programme

Ethics & Humanities

Summary

Refugee-Thrive is an interdisciplinary research program investigating the critical intersection of refugee resilience and societal inclusion through a cultural and identity-focused lens. Recognizing the record number of forcibly displaced individuals globally and the increasing pressure on host communities like Ireland, this program transcends traditional integration approaches by conceptualizing resilience as a dynamic, culturally-embedded process. Building on Ungar's definition of resilience as the capacity to navigate and negotiate vital resources in culturally meaningful ways, Refugee-Thrive addresses a significant gap: the frequent neglect of creating environments that enable access to resilience-building resources within existing refugee policies. By bringing together disciplines such as sociology, psychotherapy, peace studies, nursing, linguistics, literatures, law, and medical ethics, the project explores refugee resilience at individual, interpersonal, organizational, and community levels. Guided by principles of community engagement and co-creation, Refugee-Thrive centers refugee voices and agency in the research process. This engaged research aims to contribute to the development of more inclusive societies by providing evidence-based insights on how to nurture refugee resilience and promote societal cohesion, aligning with Horizon Europe's Global Challenges pillar, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 4, 5, 10, and 16, and supporting the UNHCR's Global Compact on Refugees."

Funding Agency

TCD

Programme

Trinity Research Doctorate Award for Group-based Research Projects 2025-26

Summary

The project aims to co-design, and co-implement a health promotion intervention focused on mental health/ brain health issues of asylum seekers and refugees currently living in Ireland

Funding Agency

The Atlantic Institute/ Rhodes House

Summary

This project investigates the ethical considerations shaping public health policies in the UK and Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to analyze the application of ethical frameworks in decision-making processes and the impact of these policies on public trust, health equity, and social justice. The study begins with an overview of the public health responses in both countries, detailing key policies, including lockdown measures, travel restrictions, and vaccination rollouts. It explores foundational ethical approaches and principles such as utilitarianism, autonomy, justice, and solidarity. By examining ethical dilemmas faced by policymakers, particularly the tension between individual rights and collective safety, the project seeks to understand how these challenges were addressed. Additionally, the research includes a comparative analysis of public health communications in the UK and Ireland, evaluating their effectiveness in engaging the public and encouraging compliance. Qualitative insights are gathered through interviews with health experts, policymakers, and community leaders, shedding light on the decision-making processes and perceived ethical implications of various strategies. The project concludes with recommendations for future public health policies, underscoring the need for transparency, stakeholder engagement, and ethical resilience in preparing for future health crises. Through an examination of the ethical dimensions of the COVID-19 response, this research aims to inform the development of more equitable and effective public health frameworks.