Participant Information
You have been invited to take part in a research study. Before you decide whether to take part it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please take time to read the following information carefully and discuss it with friends and relatives if you wish to. Ask us if there is anything that is not clear or if you would like more information. Take time to decide whether you wish to take part or not. Thank you for reading this.
What is the study about
The Decolonising DMU project is an institution wide initiative which aims to address racial inequality in the university experience. The project launched in 2019 and has taken a holistic approach to decolonising, through it’s focus upon four commitments, which helps to serve staff and students at DMU and narrow the differential awarding gap.
- Equity in Education and Research – decolonising teaching, learning and research practices.
- Progression, talent and representation – enhancing recruitment and professional development to support meaningful career progression.
- Raising Awareness, Changing Cultures and Behaviours – creating an environment where conversations about race and racism are supported and progressed.
- Governance and Accountability – reviewing our existing structures and processes through an anti-racist lens.
This evaluation seeks to explore the impact of the Decolonising DMU project on the university community.
What does the study involve?
Your involvement in this research will take the form of a short survey. The survey will begin by collecting demographic data (gender, ethnicity, etc.) to support us in understanding the voices that are represented within the information that the survey collects and highlighting any trends within the data.
Staff will be asked about their engagement with the project, including how they may have worked towards decolonising their own practice or made use of resources created by the project, such as the decolonising staff toolkit and the research centres self-audit tool. They will also be asked about the impact that DMU’s decolonising journey has had on their every day work life.
Please note that we are interested in speaking to staff with all levels of engagement, including those with little to no engagement with the project.
Students will be asked about their awareness of DMU’s decolonising journey and the impact that the project work has had on their lived experiences on campus. They will also be asked about the extent to which they have engaged with student-led elements of the project.
Please note that we are interested in speaking to students with all levels of engagement, including those with little to no engagement with the project.
Once the interviews are completed and analysed, volunteers will also be offered the opportunity to review a summary overview of the findings, to ensure that they reflect lived experiences. This is a voluntary step in the process.
Why have I been chosen?
The evaluation of the Decolonising DMU project seeks to provide all staff and students with the opportunity to share their views on the project. As a member of the De Montfort University community, we are keen to learn more about your understanding of and engagement with our work.
Do I have to take part?
It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part. If you do decide to take part you will be given this information sheet to keep and be asked to sign a consent form.
I am interested in taking part, what do I do next?
If you are interested in taking part, please contact Lucy via email at lucy.ansley@dmu.ac.uk
What if I agree to take part and then change my mind?
You can withdraw from the study, before completing the survey, without giving a reason for doing so. If you choose to withdraw from the study after submitting your responses, your data cannot be removed from the study due to the anonymous nature of the survey. Please note, however, that no identifying information will be given within publications.
What are the possible disadvantages and risks of taking part?
Whilst all efforts will be made to reduce any potential disadvantages or risks to participation, it is acknowledged that participants will have to give their time over the course of the project to engage with the research. Additionally, it is acknowledged that the nature of the project may be very personal for some participants. Whilst the research team are not able to personally provide you with support around racist incidents, we would advise that you reach out to the Wellbeing team or No Space For Hate team for further support if you find engagement with the evaluation distressing.
What are the possible benefits of taking part?
Participation in the research will help the university to improve its provision for staff and students, regardless of their background. This research provides you with an opportunity to have your voice heard and to help shape the future of the Decolonising DMU project and the university as a whole.
It is also important to note that your own work or study will not be detrimentally impacted in any way by your participation with our work.
What if something goes wrong?
If you are harmed by taking part in this research project, there are no special compensation arrangements. If you are harmed due to someone’s negligence, then you may have grounds for a legal action but you may have to pay for it. Regardless of this, if you wish to complain, or have any concerns about any aspect of the way you have been approached or treated during the course of this study, the normal University complaints mechanisms should be available to you.
If you are distressed at any point during the interview process the questioning and recording will be stopped and we can continue at a later time when you feel more comfortable.
Who can I complain to?
If you have a complaint regarding anything to do with this study, you can initially approach the lead investigator (Dr Lucy Ansley). If this achieves no satisfactory outcome, you should then contact the Administrator for the Faculty Research Ethics Committee, Research & Innovation Office, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, 3.35 Edith Murphy House, De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester, LE1 9BH or hlsfro@dmu.ac.uk
Will my taking part in this study be kept confidential?
All information which is collected about you during the course of the research will be kept on Figshare, a password protected database, and is strictly confidential. You are not required to provide your name as part of the research. However, should you choose to volunteer for further contact this information will be stored separately from your data to protect your anonymity. Any identifiable information you may give will be removed and anonymised. It is DMU policy to retain data until 2034 at the latest, at which point it will be destroyed.
What will happen to the results of the research study?
The results of this study will be used to generate evaluation reports for the Decolonising DMU project. Additionally, the research may feed into journal publications and the Decolonising DMU website. If you would like to receive a copy of the findings, this can be organised at your request.
Who is organising and funding the research?
The research is internally funded by DMU.
Who has reviewed the study?
This study has been reviewed and approved by De Montfort University, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Research Ethics Committee.
Contact for Further Information
If you have any questions regarding this study, please feel free to email the project team at: decolonisingdmu@dmu.ac.uk
Thank you for volunteering to take part in the study.