Embedding Ethics at the Core of Horizon Europe Cluster 2: Lessons from two key EU Ethics Guidance

In the evolving landscape of Horizon Europe’s Cluster 2 – Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society – ethics is not a compliance checkbox, but a cornerstone of responsible research and innovation. The European Commission has provided essential guidance to support researchers and applicants in navigating the ethical terrain of social sciences and humanities (SSH). At Plus Ethics, we believe these guidelines offer not just formal requirements, but an opportunity to critically reflect on the social value, integrity, and fairness of our research practices.

Why Ethics Matters in Cluster 2

Cluster 2 is unique in its emphasis on human-centred challenges – democracy, cultural heritage, social transformations, and more. Unlike purely technical fields, research here inherently engages with people, communities, and institutions. As such, it is particularly exposed to ethical risks: misuse of sensitive data, exploitation of vulnerable populations, unintended societal consequences, or biases in design and dissemination.

The Ethics in Social Science and Humanities guidance highlights the dual nature of research ethics: procedural ethics, which ensures formal compliance with regulations, and ethics in practice, which addresses the everyday decisions researchers must make on the ground. This is crucial for Cluster 2, where the context is often complex, the boundaries fluid, and the societal stakes high.

Key Ethical Dimensions in Cluster 2 Projects

Drawing from both the ethics guidance and the self-assessment framework provided by the Commission, several priority areas emerge:

1. Respect for Human Dignity and Autonomy

Whether engaging through interviews, focus groups, artistic co-creation or ethnographic observation, researchers must guarantee informed, voluntary participation. This includes clear communication of risks and benefits, and special safeguards for children, refugees, and individuals in dependent relationships – all groups frequently involved in Cluster 2 topics.

2. Risk, Harm, and Vulnerability

Cluster 2 often touches on sensitive issues: political identities, migration, trauma, and systemic inequality. The guidance stresses that researchers must assess risks beyond the physical – considering psychological, reputational, and emotional harm. Ethical sensitivity is essential when dealing with controversial narratives or potentially re-traumatising themes.

3. Data Ethics and Privacy

Internet-mediated research, common in studies on online culture or disinformation, raises particular concerns. Public data on social media is not automatically “fair game”. Researchers must respect users’ reasonable expectations of privacy and consider the “mosaic effect” when combining anonymised data. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a baseline – but not a ceiling.

4. Cultural and Contextual Sensitivity

One of Cluster 2’s ambitions is to address social and cultural diversity across Europe. Ethical reflection, therefore, must consider the legal and moral norms of different contexts, including those outside the EU. Research that crosses borders – geographically or culturally – must ensure that methodologies are locally appropriate and ethically valid.

5. Misuse and Dual-Use Risks

The ethics self-assessment guidance reminds us that Cluster 2 research, especially when dealing with digital technologies or societal polarisation, can be misused. Outputs intended to foster inclusion or transparency can be weaponised in polarised or authoritarian environments. Projects must include mitigation strategies and reflect critically on potential unintended consequences.

Ethics by Design: A Strategic Advantage

Both guidance documents encourage “ethics by design”: integrating ethical reflection from the earliest stages of proposal development. This is not just good practice – it enhances project quality, improves social acceptance, and accelerates granting and publication processes. Appointing ethics advisors or advisory boards is particularly encouraged for projects involving complex ethical terrain.

Final Thought

As a partner in Horizon Europe projects across Europe, Plus Ethics advocates for a more reflexive and embedded approach to research ethics. Cluster 2 offers a unique space to shape the future of European societies. To do so responsibly, we must go beyond compliance and embrace ethics as a fundamental research practice.

Let us not ask only can we do this? but also should we – and how?

If you are preparing a Cluster 2 proposal and want support on ethics impact assessment, DPIAs, or risk mitigation plans, get in touch with Plus Ethics at info@plusethics.com