Research has the potential to help address humanity’s challenges. This is especially vital in fragile settings such as post-disaster areas, conflict or post-conflict zones, or high-crime informal settlements. In these contexts, where people often face threats, severe deprivation and limited access to basic services, their immediate focus is on survival, safety and wellbeing, rather than contributing to research.

Whilst The TRUST Code – A Global Code of Conduct for Equitable Partnerships in Research (2018) supports efforts to overcome the systemic legacies of exclusion and unfairness in international research, fragile settings pose unique and complex challenges that require additional care and consideration.