Community Growth

Invitation

You are being invited to consider taking part in the research study of ‘The Geographies of Climate and Ecological Emergencies – Sustainable communities and youth for nature’s recovery in Staffordshire’. This project is being undertaken by Alana Wheat and supervised by Dr Deirdre McKay. 

Before you decide whether or not you wish to take part, it is important for you to understand why this research is being done and what it will involve. Please take time to read this information carefully and discuss it with friends and relatives if you wish. Do feel free to ask the researcher if there is anything that is unclear or if you would like more information. Please take time to consider whether or not you wish to participate.

What will happen if I take part?

As a community initiative, the details of the initiative will be seen by the researcher and supervisor but it is optional whether you wish the name of the community initiative to be published in the dissertation. This will mean that the name supplied will be used in the research but will also mean that you can withdraw your data. At any point during filling in the questionnaire you can stop and not submit your responses. Once submitted, if you wish for your data to be withdrawn, please email the researcher (w8h07@students.keele.ac.uk) with the name you used when submitting the questionnaire. The deadline for withdrawal is the 2nd August 2021.

What are the risks of taking part?

If any problems were to arise during the research activity or if you find any problems on the website, please contact the researcher.

Please note, that the questionnaire will ask for details of your name and organisation but you will have the option to keep these details anonymous in dissertation (the option will be provided as part of the consent form). However, participants and initiatives may be recognised through their potential uniqueness and activity despite anonymity. For example, if community initiative is ‘Keele Hedgehog Friendly Campus’ then the location of Keele part is important to their response.

Submitting the questionnaire would be granting the consents which are clearly listed out. If you do not consent, you should not continue nor submit the questionnaire.

Due to the potential reputational risk involved in the research, you may withdraw the data up until the 2nd August 2021. Once the dissertation is published you will not be able to remove the data from the dissertation. Please consider this before taking part.

How will information collected be used?

The responses will be used for the dissertation research project which is part of the researcher’s MA Masters degree in Geographical and Environmental Research as part of program requirements.

All the materials will remain digital and stored on a password protected computer. The published data in the dissertation may potentially be used for further academic research writings to do with the project. Once the dissertation is marked, the dissertation may be shared with other organisations as relevant. 

Who is funding and organising the research?

The research is self-funded by the researcher.

What if there is a problem?

If you have a concern about any aspect of this study, you may wish to speak to the researcher, Alana Wheat - w8h07@students.keele.ac.uk, who will do their best to answer your questions. Alternatively, if you do not wish to contact the researcher you may contact Dr Deirdre McKay - https://www.keele.ac.uk/gge/ourpeople/deirdremckay/.

If you remain unhappy about the research and/or wish to raise a complaint about any aspect of the way that you have been approached or treated during the course of the study please write to the University’s contact for complaints regarding research at the following address: Research Integrity Team Directorate of Research, Innovation and Engagement IC2 Building, Keele University ST5 5NE. E-mail: research.governance@keele.ac.uk

Why have I been invited? Why should I take part?

If you are here on behalf of a community initiative or sustainability group it would be great if you could take part and share your views to contribute towards the research. This will help to contribute towards the academic field of Human Geography, youth and climate change! Please only take part in the questionnaire if you are at least 18 years of age. 

There is opportunity for the research to be used amongst communities to develop networks and community resilience, as well as increasing connections and collaborations between local voices and places.

Do I have to take part?

No, taking part in the research is completely voluntary.

What are the benefits of taking part?

Although you may not personally derive direct or immediate benefits, you get the opportunity to voice your views and opinions on what it is like to be involved in the community. This data set will hopefully benefit the fields of climate change geographies and look into interactions with you, the environment and the community. The published dissertation may be used for future research and for insight on how communities can improve their engagement with young people and strive towards a sustainable future.

Lockdown Measures

Please ensure that all lockdown measures and government guidelines are always followed during the COVID-19 pandemic. For current government updates; https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

You should not need to leave the comfort of your own home to fill in this questionnaire.

Will any personal data be collected?

The only personal data collected is your name, job role and email contact so that your responses are linked, these details will not be published and only the researcher and the dissertation supervisor will see these details. These details will be kept confidential and stored securely. 

Who will have access to my personal information?

Only the dissertation supervisor and the researcher will have access to the information received from you. Other data shared will be unidentifiable.

To ensure personal information is not collected unnecessarily, the questionnaires put trust and faith in the participants that the data they submit is genuine.

Where will the information be stored and how long will it be kept for?

All the materials will remain digital and stored on a password protected computer. The published data in the dissertation may potentially be used for further academic research writings to do with the project. 

The final research project is expected to be completed by the 1st September 2021 and submitted as a dissertation to the School of Geography, Geology and the Environment at Keele University.

What happens next?

If you would like to participate in this research project, please continue with the relevant questionnaires. You will be asked to fill out a consent form at the beginning of the questionnaire. 

How can I share your work with others?

Please share the website link (www.AlanaWheat.com) with others, it will be fantastic to get as many people engaged with the project as possible.