Developing a Consent Validation Framework to Guide Student Researchers in the Ethical Sharing and Documentation of Himba Indigenous Knowledge

This study aims to develop a culturally grounded consent validation framework to guide student researchers in the ethical sharing and documentation of Himba Indigenous knowledge. While student research increasingly engages with Indigenous communities, ethical tensions arise when institutional consent processes fail to align with traditional knowledge-sharing protocols. Focusing on the Himba of Namibia, the research explores how consent is understood and granted within the community, investigates ethical challenges faced by student researchers, and co-designs a framework that respects both academic and cultural standards. The project contributes to ethical research practices and Indigenous knowledge governance within Namibian academic institutions.