Equitable payments for research participation: A successful case of exceptionalism

Bélisle-Pipon et al. recently reported on challenges they encountered in adopting an equity-based rather than equality-based framework for research participation payments. We encountered a similar need in a project that developed tools and resources to support trustworthy data practices in the field of participatory science. While typical approaches employ a fairness-as-equality model, where all participants receive equal pay for equal work, we drew on social justice principles to develop a fairness-as-equity framework for our collaboration with environmental justice practitioners. We allocated different levels of payments to environmental justice practitioners engaged in community-led projects and conventional practitioners engaged in institution-led projects. We share this case as a successful example of what Bélisle-Pipon et al. called “a plea for exceptionalism” in paying research participants in ethically appropriate ways.