Ethical Collaborations in Arctic Research: Guidance for Researchers and Indigenous Communities

This document is intended to provide guidance for researchers and Arctic Indigenous communities seeking to establish ethical, respectful, and mutually beneficial research collaborations. It includes an overview of the colonial legacy of research, the importance of reflexivity, and considerations for building trust-based relationships. The document offers guidance for co-creating ethical agreements and highlights the importance of data sovereignty. It also offers practical questions to guide researchers in their internal reflections and structured discussions with communities. It is a tool that can and should be used throughout all stages of a research project–from the planning phase to evaluation–to ensure meaningful, equitable, and mutually beneficial engagement.