Future of Legal Gender – Attitudes to Gender –Adult Participant Information Sheet
Main investigator:
Professor Elizabeth Peel, School of Social Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, e.peel@lboro.ac.uk 01509228176
Other investigators:
Han Newman, School of Social Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, h.newman@lboro.ac.uk 01509223365
What is the purpose of the study?
The aim of the Future of Legal Gender project is to critically explore different ways of reforming legal gender. The aim of this particular strand of the research is to explore what legal gender status means for the general public, and whether it matters to individuals in their everyday lives. It will also examine attitudes to legal reform options among different communities.
Who is doing this research and why?
This research is part of the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funded project, Future of Legal Gender – A critical law reform project. The aim of the project is to critically explore different ways of reforming legal gender. This strand aims to explore the implications for the wider public. Professor Elizabeth Peel is a co-investigator on the project and is leading this strand of the research. Han Newman is a research associate on the project. Further details of the project and the rest of the project team can be found here: www.futureoflegalgender.kcl.ac.uk
Are there any exclusion criteria?
For the next stages of this research we are looking for participants who live in England or Wales. You must be aged 18 or over to participate.
What will I be asked to do?
There are two possible stages of participation in this research. The first stage (audio/visual representation of experiences of gender) is not mandatory. If you prefer, you can simply take part in stage two (one-on-one interview).
Stage one: audio/visual representations of experiences of gender (optional)
If you are participating in the first stage, you will be asked to audio/visually represent your experiences of gender in different settings over a 4-8 week period (or a shorter period, as agreed). You will be asked to do this using a smart phone or other audio/video technology. You may represent your experiences in the form of photographs, video/audio recordings, audio descriptions (e.g., ‘I have just come from the bank and I was addressed as ‘sir’ and I am ‘madam’ etc.), or written accounts. You may wish to record experiences involving gender stereotypes, sexism, gender-based assumptions, misgendering, or any other experience in which you feel that gender is made relevant or should have been made relevant. The research team will talk to you about the practicalities of how you might go about this, however, it is important that you do not:
a) stage encounters for the purposes of the project as we are interested in ordinary, everyday experiences;
b) engage in any illegal activity (e.g., breach copyright such as photographing an unaltered official form);
c) record third parties without their knowledge or record interactions with people without capacity to consent; and
d) use the materials that you collect for this research for other purposes (e.g., evidencing a complaint to a service or third party).
It is important to emphasise that you have control over what you decide to submit to the research team (at this point your copy of materials should be deleted), and that you can withdraw material up to two weeks after submitting it.
The process for submitting your material will involve uploading them to SharePoint, the Microsoft collaboration software (https://products.office.com/en-us/sharepoint/collaboration). You will have an individual folder only visible to you and the research team. These materials will be downloaded by the research team after the two-week withdrawal period has ended, stored securely on the University systems, and deleted from the SharePoint server.
You will need to explain to any third parties that you are involved in a research project and that you will be uploading these materials, that they will be stored securely, and that they will remain confidential and anonymous and will not be identified in the research.
Stage two: interviews (for all participants)
In the second stage of the research, those participants who have completed stage one will be asked to reflect on their audio/visual recordings and on their wider gender experiences through a face-to-face interview with one of our research team. Those participants who are participating only in stage two will be asked to reflect on their gender experiences through a face-to-face interview with one of our research team. In both cases, the interview will aim to further explore your understandings and interpretation of gender and will last for 60-90 minutes. The time and place of the interview will be mutually agreed between yourself and the research team. This may be in your own home, on University premises, or at a mutually agreed quiet public location.
Once I take part, can I change my mind?
Yes. After you have read this information and asked any questions you may have, we will ask you to complete an Informed Consent Form, however if before, during or after the research process you wish to withdraw from the study please contact the main investigator.
After agreeing to take part you can decide not to then take part in stage 1 of the project, you are also free to refuse to answer any question during the stage 2 interview or decide you do not want to take part in this.
Once you have submitted your audio/visual materials for stage one, you will have a period of two weeks in which to withdraw these. Similarly, after stage two, you will be able to withdraw your interview data any time up to two weeks following the date of the interview.
You can withdraw for any reason and you will not be asked to explain your reasons for withdrawing.
Will I be required to attend any sessions and where will these be?
You will be required to attend one face-to-face interview with one of the research team. This will take place at a time and location agreed between yourself and the investigator.
How long will it take?
Those taking part in stage one of the research will be asked to collect audio/visual recordings for a period of 4-8 weeks. The subsequent interview is likely to take 60-90 minutes.
Interviews for those taking part in stage two (only) of the research are also likely to take 60-90 minutes.
Are there any disadvantages or risks in participating?
The study involves (in stage one) the recording of and (in stages one and two) reflection on your own experiences in relation to gender. Some participants may experience emotional disturbance as a result of this. If participants have any concerns during or after the study, they should contact the main investigator and/or the other investigators. There is also a list of support organisations on our project website: https://futureoflegalgender.kcl.ac.uk/survey/support-organisations/
Data Protection Privacy Notice
Loughborough University will be using information/data from you in order to undertake this study and will act as the data controller for this study. This means that the University is responsible for looking after your information and using it properly. Loughborough University will keep identifiable information about you for six years after the study has finished. The University’s Data Protection Officer can be contacted at: dp@lboro.ac.uk.
What personal information will be collected from me?
We will need to collect some personal information from you, such as your name, contact details, date of birth, gender, and legal gender. We will also need to collect some sensitive personal data – sexual identity, religion, ethnicity, disability, education, occupation, and caring responsibilities.
Why is this personal information being collected?
This personal information will allow us to ensure that we involve a range of people in the next stages of our research. It will be used to enable us to explore a range of different views and experiences.
How long will my personal data be retained?
All data, including personal data, will be encrypted and retained securely for six years from completion of the project on the University’s IT system.
Will my taking part in this study be kept confidential?
Before being used in any research output, data will be anonymised by removing your name and the name of anyone else that you might mention during your participation. Any other details that could be used to identify you will also be removed, for example the name of an employer or the place in which you live.
When uploading your materials for stage one of this study, you will have your own individual SharePoint folder which will only be accessed by yourself and the research team. Two weeks after your final upload, these materials will be downloaded by the research team, stored on University systems, and deleted from the SharePoint server.
Only the research team will have access to your data during the analysis stage.
How will the data collected from me be used?
The results of this study may be published in academic journals and/or presented at research conferences. They will also be used to inform the wider Future of Legal Gender project and may be used in any output associated with this. More information on this project can be found at www.futureoflegalgender.kcl.ac.uk. A summary of the research findings will also be made available to participants on request on completion of the study.
What is the legal basis for processing the data?
The legal basis for processing this personal data for research purposes, under the General Data Protection Regulation, is as a ‘task in the public interest’. The Royal Charter of Loughborough University states that the objectives of the University include advancing knowledge and understanding through research. The research data is processed in pursuance of this goal.
Personal data will be processed on the public task basis. Individuals’ rights to erasure and data portability do not apply if you are processing on the basis of public task. However, individuals do have a right to object.
Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), some of the personal data which will be collected from you is categorised as “sensitive data”. The processing of this data is necessary for scientific research in accordance with safeguards. This means that study has gone through an ethical committee to ensure that the appropriate safeguards are put in place with respect to the use of your personal data.
Will my data be shared with others?
Data collected will only be shared with investigators involved with the study.
How long will the anonymised data/samples be retained?
Fully anonymised data will be permanently archived with the UK Data Service, see https://www.ukdataservice.ac.uk/, on an open basis.
I have some more questions; who should I contact?
Please contact the research team via flag@lboro.ac.uk. Individual contact details for each of the investigators on this study can also be found at the top of this information sheet.
If you have any questions more generally regarding Data Protection at the University, then please do contact the Data Protection Officer on dp@lboro.ac.uk or write to The Data Protection Officer at Academic Registry, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leics, UK LE11 3TU.
What if I am not happy with how the research was conducted?
If you are not happy with how the research was conducted, please contact Ms Jackie Green, the Secretary for the University’s Ethics Approvals (Human Participants) Sub-Committee:
Ms J Green, Research Office, Hazlerigg Building, Loughborough University, Epinal Way, Loughborough, LE11 3TU. Tel: 01509 222423. Email: J.A.Green@lboro.ac.uk
The University also has a policy relating to Research Misconduct and Whistle Blowing which is available online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/committees/ethics-approvals-human-participants/additionalinformation/codesofpractice/ .
If you have taken steps to have a concern or complaint about Loughborough University’s handling of data resolved but are still not satisfied you have a right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ico), who are the relevant regulator for data privacy and protection matters. The ico can be contacted at Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AF and your will find more information at https://ico.org.uk.