UBI Piloter's Network
Newsletter 17, December 2024
New Article on Ethical Research in Cash Transfer Programs.
Vibhor Mathur
Abstract
The number of cash-transfer programs around the world, as academic experiments and government policies, has grown multi-fold in the last few years, generating great political, policy, and academic interest. However, little is explicitly discussed around the ethical implications of conducting research on such programs. This paper draws on learnings from conducting qualitative research in a universal basic income pilot in urban slums in India over 24 months. It highlights the unique challenges of power and positionality, informed consent, and respect and sensitivity that arise when researching cash-transfer projects. It argues for a recognition of the unique research dynamics engendered by such programs, and the need for more embedded, long-term, relational, reflexive, and trauma-informed research practices to navigate them. The paper concludes by reflecting on the role of university ethics boards in building a more robust and supportive ethical literacy and oversight infrastructure for research capacity and responsible research.
Full Article here.
News Article on “How's the income pilot going in Wales?” by David Westlake and Zoe Bezeczky
Major Announcement from Community Spring
Community Spring is excited to share a significant update with the UBI Piloters' Network. We are pleased to announce the launch of the third cohort of our Just Income program, a cornerstone initiative in our work to disrupt the cycles of poverty and incarceration. This program, uniquely designed by and for justice-impacted individuals, offers guaranteed income to support their reintegration and economic stability.
Program Details:
Participant Selection: Twenty participants have been randomly selected from a pool of eligible applicants, ensuring equal opportunity for all qualified individuals.
Financial Support: Each participant will receive an unconditional $800 per month for one year, beginning in January 2025.
Eligibility Criteria: Participants include those released from prison or jail with a felony conviction, or who began felony probation within the past year.
Program Evolution: Originally a pilot, Just Income has become a permanent fixture due to the significant positive impacts observed in our initial cohorts.
Participant Engagement: We continue to actively involve past recipients in refining Just Income. Their lived experience and feedback are crucial in continually enhancing the program to meet the evolving needs of new participants more effectively.
Upcoming Evaluation: We are eager to share the independent evaluation of our pilot year's outcomes, conducted in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Guaranteed Income Research. Scheduled for release in February 2025, this evaluation will provide critical insights into the program’s effectiveness and help shape future initiatives.
Community Spring's Broader Mission: Just Income is a vital part of Community Spring's mission to promote economic justice. Alongside direct financial support, we are engaged in systemic change efforts, including significant policy victories such as:
Fair Chance Hiring Ordinance: In December 2022, Gainesville became the first city in Florida to pass a fair chance hiring ordinance for private employers, a campaign initiated by our inaugural fellowship class.
Elimination of Local Fees: In 2023, we successfully advocated for the removal of approximately 15 locally imposed jail and court services fees across six programs, alleviating financial burdens that perpetuate cycles of poverty and incarceration.
Through initiatives like Just Income and our advocacy work, Community Spring is dedicated to creating a more equitable society where all individuals have access to the income, power, and community necessary to flourish.
For more information about our programs and mission, please visit our website: Community Spring