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Trauma-informed Research: A Panel Discussion
Summary
The unfolding epidemics and crises of the last year and a half provide stark reminders that no person or setting is ever safe from the impacts of traumas. Now more than ever, it’s critical for us as researchers to anticipate and plan for the realities of trauma as it emerges in our work (and in ourselves). Join us for a discussion of how the panelists came to embrace trauma-informed practices and how they have led to changes in the way we approach our work. Being trauma-informed and -responsive is not a destination but rather a constant state of becoming. You’ll leave with the information you need to start this journey in your own practice.
Key Insights
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Including people with lived experience in research teams helps anticipate trauma triggers and design sensitive methods.
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Trauma manifests and is processed differently across cultures, requiring flexible, adaptive research approaches.
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Allowing participants agency in how and when they engage reduces retraumatization risks.
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Trauma-informed work demands self-care practices for researchers, including debriefings, breaks, and mutual support.
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Research in systems like government must address trauma perpetuated by those systems, not just individual experiences.
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Commodification of trauma-informed approaches risks diluting their meaning into performative checklists.
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Organizational change, starting with HR policies and leadership modeling vulnerability, is vital for trauma-informed cultures.
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Researchers and designers should assume trauma is present in all human interactions, even in traditionally 'non-sensitive' sectors.
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Consent is an ongoing process, and participants should always feel empowered to pause or stop participation.
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Sharing and mentoring among practitioners strengthens trauma-informed approaches and prevents isolation.
Notable Quotes
"Trauma is a response to anything that's overwhelming—too much, too fast, too soon, or too long coupled with a lack of protection or support."
"You can't heal your way out of death or oppression by reforming oppressive systems; you can only do so by dismantling those systems."
"We need to be better at questioning the motivations of the parties we work with and what they’re getting out of the work."
"All processes are extractive; even if there’s an element of enrichment, reducing that extraction is crucial."
"Allow people to tell you how trauma extraction feels; don’t assume based on your cultural lens."
"Leadership modeling of vulnerability and human challenges is the first step towards trauma-informed organizational culture."
"Trauma-informed is not a destination; it’s a journey, a continuous state of becoming."
"If you work with humans, you work with trauma. Assume everybody carries some form of vulnerability."
"Take breaks, use chill zones, and create safe spaces within research and workplace settings."
"Being trauma-informed means caring for yourself, forgiving your mistakes, and moving forward with humility."
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