We’re pleased to announce that a new article by our team members has been published in Methods in Psychology. The paper, “Navigating ethical approval challenges: A case of cross-national multi-method social science project,” offers an in-depth reflection on the implementation of the STUDACT project.

Led by Tatiana Khavenson, Miri Yemini, and Vanessa Sperduti, the article examines the complexities of conducting international comparative research in today’s regulatory landscape. Drawing on experiences from the STUDACT project, the authors analyze the ethical approval processes across multiple countries and institutions, highlighting the challenges that arise when research involves diverse methodologies, sensitive topics, minor participants, and social media data.

The paper identifies three key disjunctures in ethical approval processes and provides practical insights for researchers planning cross-national projects, as well as for Research Ethics Committees and institutional stakeholders. By documenting the obstacles encountered and the adaptations required throughout the project, the authors contribute valuable knowledge to the growing conversation about research governance in international social science collaborations.