Ethical Considerations and Anthropology: the MSF Experience

This chapter outlines four ethical deliberations pertinent to the practice of social science with a focus on anthropology in humanitarian settings. The first looks at the persistent problem of how anthropology is framed within the historical, biomedical foundation and the methodological challenges therein. Second, we elaborate on who benefits from anthropological endeavours in times of acute crisis, epidemic or mass displacement, and why ethical considerations should be different in these situations. Third, we share descriptions of how ethics are navigated by social scientists within Médecins Sans Frontières, giving examples of the delicate negotiations required to manage the research. Finally, we discuss a way forward to emphasise a ‘bottom up’ framing of ethical challenges for anthropologists working in humanitarian settings.