Research Ethics, Urban Equality and the Role of University in Pandemic Times: Reflections from Havana

Abstract

Cuba’s capacity to confront challenging scenarios has been internationally recognised and its health system and ability to respond to complex contexts under an overall principle of equality acknowledged. During the pandemic, however, several crises have challenged Havana’s ambitions of equality. COVID-19 coincided with the exponential impacts of the United States blockade and the inequalities created by the processes of economic opening up during the last decade. Acknowledging that Cuban universities, as public institutions, have historically played a key role in engaging with social problems, this paper asks what the role of universities is in the context of COVID-19, what ethical considerations are inherent in this role, and how these can be navigated. Drawing on the experience of an interdisciplinary research project, KNOW-Havana, the article discusses several ethical ‘hotspots’ or challenges faced by the university while conducting research during the pandemic, around questions of redefining proximity, the politics of time, and the duties of care. We discuss principles to navigate these challenges such as rethinking benefits, risks, relationality, responsibility, commitment, trust, reciprocity, flexibility, and care ethics. These provide insights to rethink what knowledge co-production for equality means in Havana. We conclude by reflecting on their importance for universities in a post-pandemic future.