In Conversation With Audel Cunningham: Exploration of the World of Research Ethics
By Saran Davaajargal
In this interview, Humber Research Ethics Board (REB) Chair Audel Cunningham shares his vision for REB, explains how the board supports researchers and defines what research ethics mean to him.
How did your journey with Humber College begin?
I immigrated to Canada in 2008. I completed two post-graduate degrees in Law in Europe and decided that I wanted to transition from the active practice of law into an academic career so that I could impart my passion for the exciting things I had learnt during my graduate studies. I was made aware that Humber was recruiting a new law professor for the then Business School and I thought this would be a great opportunity to embark on a full-time academic career. I have enjoyed the years since then immensely.
What is your vision for Humber’s Research Ethics Board?
REB has an institutional mandate to review all proposals for research which will involve human participants and which will have a substantive connection to Humber, such as:
- the research will take place within the Humber Community; or
- the research is in some way funded by Humber.
Our work occurs within the framework of a federal government research ethics framework known as the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS). Many persons within the Humber Community become aware of the REB only when they have to submit a research project which implicates the mandate of the REB. I want to work with my fellow REB Members to increase our visibility and make the REB a centre for knowledge and expertise on research issues. This will allow us to work more closely in educating the Humber community through proactive initiatives aimed at increasing knowledge and awareness of research ethics issues. My vision also includes building partnerships with other REBs across the country to create and promote professional development and training opportunities in the area of Research Ethics.
What kind of support can Humber researchers expect from REB?
There have been times when researchers have viewed the REB process as being a stumbling block to their ability to commence their research as expeditiously as possible. I acknowledge that the process of getting ethics approval may take some time, especially as it concerns applications that are viewed as being of an extremely high-risk nature. REB does not aim to create unnecessary difficulties for researchers. REB plays a vital and complementary role in respect of research involving human participants. Both researchers and research participants benefit when there is integrity in the research process. REB aims to support researchers in ensuring that research integrity is maintained. We are available to support researchers by addressing any queries that they may have about the research ethics framework. We are also willing to provide best-practice guidance. I want to foster a cooperative relationship with researchers.
What does “research” and “research ethics” mean to you?
To me, research means actively investigating a topic of interest in order to gather data which, when analyzed, will advance knowledge. The advancement in knowledge does not have to be monumental. I consider even small but measurable increases in knowledge to be acceptable research outcomes.
Research ethics denote values that researchers must display and respect. These values include the right of participants to be treated with dignity, to have a voice regarding what is done with their personal data and, in general, to not be harmed by research activities. These values must especially be respected when vulnerable populations such as children, persons with cognitive disabilities and victims of abuse are involved in the research process.
If you had all the resources available, what would you conduct research on?
I have several research interests. Firstly, noting my expertise in international trade and development issues and my background working with small states, I would love to conduct in-country research in some of the least developed countries and, with their diaspora communities, to identify what practical development strategies are required to help them achieve their United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). This research would involve exploring a more equitable basis for sharing resources in the global commons.
Secondly, I have an interest in exploring Indigenous justice systems. The federal government has an Indigenous Justice Program to support Indigenous community-based justice programs. I would love to explore how such systems can create best-practice models for improving the justice system in the small Caribbean states which have identifiable Indigenous communities.
What are your favourite books?
I have diverse reading interests. Amongst older writings, one of my favourite books is A Grain of Wheat by Ngg wa Thiong’o. This book interweaves stories connected to Kenya’s struggle for independence against the British and focuses on several central characters, one of whom harbours a deep secret that can destroy his image in his community at a time when the focus must be on the need for that community to heal. I also consider Thomas Hardy’s The Mayor of Casterbridge to be one of my enduring favourites. It has been a favourite of mine ever since I studied it in an advanced literature course in high school. I find its interwoven stories of attempted but failed self-redemption and triumph against all odds to be very relevant to contemporary issues.
With respect to more contemporary writings, I like All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Crosby. It deals with issues of systemic racism faced by a black Sheriff in the Southern U.S. and also explores the complicated issue of distrust of one of their own within the black community owing to negative experiences with policing.
About Audel
Audel Cunningham is the Chair of Humber College’s Research Ethics Board. He was appointed to this position in June 2023. Prior to his appointment as Chair, he was a Member of the REB for five years. He has been a professor in the Longo Faculty of Business at Humber College since 2008 and teaches a variety of legal courses including International Trade Law, Canadian Business Law and Legal Research. Having worked with the Caribbean community as an international trade lawyer and trade negotiator, he has developed expertise in the area of international trade law and has a wealth of experience in working with developing countries on international trade issues.
Mr. Cunningham is a former British Chevening Scholar and holds a Master of Laws (LLM) Degree in International Trade Law (with Distinction) from the University of Essex, a Master of Laws (LLM) Degree in European Business Law from the Pallas University Consortium, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Degree from the University of the West Indies and a Legal Education Certificate from the Norman Manley Law School in Kingston, Jamaica. He was called to the Bar in Jamaica as an Attorney-at-Law in 2008 and was called to the Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor in Ontario in 2012.
Mr. Cunningham has extensive experience in conducting research on a range of International Law and International Trade issues. His current research interests include Indigenous rights and rule-making in regional integration systems.