aes24 International Evaluation Conference

Authors: Kizzy Gandy (Verian (formerly Kantar Public) )

As evaluators, one of our key ethical responsibilities is to not cause psychological harm or distress through our methods. We often start workshops or interviews with a warning that the topic may be upsetting and provide contact information for mental health services to participants under the assumption this is the most ethical practice.

Trigger warnings are used with good intentions and are often recommended in evaluation ethics guidelines. However, what do we know about their impact? Is there a risk they actually trigger people more?

This talk examines the evidence on whether trigger warnings are an effective strategy for reducing the risk of trauma and re-traumatisation when discussing topics such as sexual assault, mental health, violence, drug use, and other sensitive issues. It also touches on new evidence from neuroscience about how emotions are understood differently now compared to in the past.

This session will not provide a definitive answer on when or how to use trigger warnings but aims to challenge the audience to think critically about whether trigger warnings are useful in their own work.