Abstract
Ethical approval is intended to protect research participants and uphold the integrity of scholarly inquiry. However, in practice, ethical review processes in many institutions have evolved into mechanisms of bureaucratic oversight and political control. Drawing on recent studies, this short communication examines how ethical approval, while essential in principle, increasingly functions as a tool of institutional and national security rather than participant protection. Particular attention is given to the Arab institutional context, where ethics committees are often influenced by administrative and political considerations, constraining academic freedom. Through a qualitative synthesis of literature, institutional reports, and prior empirical studies, the analysis identifies four key patterns: bureaucratic overreach, political restrictions, performative ethics, and selective regional enforcement. These patterns collectively limit independent inquiry, bias knowledge production, and undermine research integrity. Finally, the paper offers recommendations to restore the moral purpose of ethical review—emphasizing independent oversight, transparency, proportionality, and ethical reflection—while ensuring accountability and fostering responsible scholarly inquiry.
Presenters
Raed AwashrehProfessor, Social Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, United Arab Emirates
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Keywords: Ethical approval, Research integrity, Bureaucracy, Academic freedom, Arab institutions
