Researcher preparedness as ethical practice in public health research with Sámi communities

Abstract

Public health research with Sámi communities in Finland does not take place in a neutral space. It is influenced by a long history of extractive research practices that have contributed to mistrust, research fatigue, and the marginalization of Sámi ways of knowing. While community engagement is widely emphasized, less attention has been given to how researchers can demonstrate preparedness before approaching communities. Rather than a mere practical consideration, researcher preparedness is an ethical responsibility that influences the quality and relevance of research from its earliest stages.

Drawing from an Indigenous health PhD dissertation conducted in the Sámi context between 2023 and 2026, this presentation argues that research proposals themselves can serve as indicators of preparedness by reflecting awareness of historical context, anticipated ethical challenges, and researcher positionality. It introduces researcher preparedness as a practical framework for strengthening ethical public health research with Sámi and other minoritized communities.