Safeguarding

At AIRID, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for our staff, research participants, partners and the communities we serve. Our Safeguarding Policy reflects our zero-tolerance approach to abuse, exploitation, harassment and all forms of harm. Through clear standards of conduct, risk management, mandatory training, confidential reporting mechanisms and survivor-centred responses, AIRID ensures that safeguarding is embedded across all our research, programmes and partnerships. Protecting people, promoting dignity and fostering accountability are fundamental to achieving our mission of advancing health research with integrity.

1. Our Commitment

AIRID has a zero-tolerance approach to any form of abuse, exploitation, harassment, bullying or neglect committed by, or against, anyone connected to our work. This applies wherever AIRID operates — in our offices, laboratories, research sites and field activities — and extends to the conduct of our staff, board members, researchers, consultants, volunteers, interns and partners. We take every concern seriously, and we act promptly and fairly whenever a safeguarding issue is raised.

2. Who and What This Policy Covers

This policy applies to everyone who works for or represents AIRID, including employees, board and committee members, researchers and research fellows, consultants and contractors, volunteers and interns, and any third party engaged on AIRID's behalf. It covers our relationships with:

• Children and young people who may come into contact with our research or programmes.
• Vulnerable adults, including research participants and members of the communities we serve.
• Research participants at every stage of recruitment, consent, data collection and follow-up.
• Staff, researchers and partners, who are equally entitled to a safe and respectful working environment.

3. Standards of Conduct

All individuals acting on behalf of AIRID are expected to uphold the highest standards of professional and personal conduct. In practice, this means:

• Treating all persons with dignity, respect and fairness, regardless of age, sex, disability, ethnicity, religion or status.
• Never engaging in, soliciting or facilitating any form of sexual exploitation, abuse or harassment.
• Never using a position of trust or authority to intimidate, coerce or exploit another person.
• Respecting the informed consent, privacy and confidentiality of research participants at all times.
• Reporting any safeguarding concern promptly, in good faith and without fear of retaliation.

4. Prevention and Risk Management

AIRID takes a proactive approach to preventing harm before it occurs. This includes conducting safeguarding risk assessments for research and field activities, applying robust recruitment and vetting procedures, and ensuring that appropriate codes of conduct are signed by all staff, researchers and partners. Risks are reviewed regularly and mitigation measures are adapted to the specific context of each project, particularly where children, vulnerable adults or at-risk communities are involved.

5. Training and Awareness

Safeguarding training is mandatory for all AIRID staff, researchers and relevant partners. Training builds a shared understanding of what safeguarding means in practice, how to recognise warning signs of abuse or exploitation, and how to respond appropriately and confidentially when a concern arises. Refresher training is provided on a regular basis to keep this awareness current.

6. Reporting a Concern

Anyone — a staff member, research participant, partner or member of the community — who witnesses or experiences a safeguarding concern is encouraged to report it. Reports can be made confidentially, and AIRID will not tolerate any form of retaliation against a person who raises a concern in good faith. All reports are treated seriously, handled with discretion and investigated in a timely and fair manner.

7. A Survivor-Centred Response

When a concern is raised, the safety, wellbeing and wishes of the person affected come first. AIRID responds in a manner that is survivor-centred, non-judgemental and confidential, ensuring access to appropriate support while safeguarding the rights of all parties throughout any investigation.

8. Accountability

AIRID's leadership is accountable for embedding safeguarding across our research, programmes and partnerships, and for ensuring this policy is understood, followed and reviewed regularly. Any substantiated breach of this policy will result in appropriate disciplinary action, which may include termination of employment or partnership, and referral to the relevant authorities where required by law.