Ethics and Equity

Abstract

The idea of a committee like the Institutional Review Board (IRB), whose aim is to safeguard ethical research, sounds complementary to current principles of equity. However, many researchers and academics view these boards with animosity and distrust. Thus, the Chair of the IRB is well-suited to act as a servant-leader who addresses the needs of different stakeholders while creating awareness and communication between them all. Nevertheless, servant-leadership in ethics, particularly in an increasingly equity-minded culture, can carry some conflicts and paradoxes. This may be particularly salient for those from underrepresented backgrounds. The current case presents the experience of an IRB chair and woman of color from a socioeconomically disadvantaged background. Four organizational conflicts are observed: Mission, Efficiency, Equity, and Management. Solutions and recommendations are offered for each of these. The case closes with reflections on the person of color (POC) as a servant-leader.