Abstract

There is a need for an ethically responsible means of conducting arts-based research with
children affected by global adversity, including children affected by war. The multiple effects of
war on children remains a global issue. While there are many approaches to working with waraffected
children, participatory arts-based methods such as photovoice, drama, and drawing
are being increasingly relied upon. However, what are the ethical issues and how are
researchers and practitioners taking up these issues in school, community, and “on the street”
settings? By reviewing the literature on ethical issues that may arise when working with
children through arts-based methods, this article identifies four critical ethical issues that
represent specific challenges in relation to children affected by war: (1) informed consent; (2)
truth, interpretation, and representation; (3) dangerous emotional terrain; and (4) aesthetics.
The article highlights current gaps in the research and poses several unanswered questions in
arts-based research with war-affected children.