“Not Everything is an RCT”: A Zemiological Analysis of Researcher Social Harms

Abstract This paper explores complex and often overlooked challenges faced by frontline social researchers, particularly those engaged with vulnerable or marginalised groups. Using a series of reflective vignettes from our research, we draw attention to a typology of harms researchers may encounter in fieldwork, ranging from vicarious trauma to direct harassment. This study critiques current normative ethical frameworks that dominate academia, arguing that these often rigid and risk-averse paradigms fail to adequately protect researchers or fully appreciate the dynamic nature of harm in fieldwork. Instead, we advocate for a zemiological approach to ethics in research, which emphasises the identification and mitigation of both foreseeable and preventable harms to researchers as a social group. Key recommendations include integrating therapeutic supervision as a standard practice, fostering open and compassionate academic discussions about researcher-based harms, and developing flexible ethical guidelines that are sensitive to the specific contexts of individual research projects. In proposing these changes, we aim to create a more supportive and ethically sound environment for researchers and move towards a more resilient and responsive academic culture.