Participant Information Sheet        

Name of principal Investigators:

Dr Shungu Hilda M’gadzah – Director and Lead Consultant Psychologist, Educational Psychologist and Diversity & Inclusion expert at Inclusion Psychologists Limited.

Shakara Watson – Honorary Research Assistant at Inclusion Psychologists Limited

Study Title:

The Spectrum of Racism: Implementing the Six Stages Framework in order to understand how students experience prejudice and racism within Higher Education.

Invitation and Brief Summary:

You have been invited to take part in the aforementioned study as the researchers would like to explore how college and university students, understand and deal with racism. This may be a direct or indirect experience. For instance, you may have been the recipient of, or participated in racial abuse or hold the perspective of a bystander or ally.

From your responses, the researchers’ aim to identify the types of provisions High Educational establishments require. Specifically, the type of support students and staff may need when processing their experience of racism or prejudice.

Please note that, although you have been invited to take part in this research study. Your participation is completely voluntary and you have the right to withdraw at any time.

What is involved?

Should you wish to participate in the study, you will first be asked to sign a consent form. Once you have completed the consent form, you will be asked to create a unique identifier code* and to click “continue”.

You will then be transferred to the next page, which is where the questionnaire is located. The questionnaire should take no more than 30 minutes to complete. We understand and can appreciate that questionnaires can take some time to fill in. So, we would be incredibly grateful if you could complete both the closed and open questions.  However, if for any reason, there are any questions that you wish to leave blank, please do so.

Part 1:

In the first instance, you will be asked five “closed questions” about your demographics (age, gender, ethnicity etc); which College or University you attend and year of study.

Part 2:

The second aspect of the questionnaire will ask you four “open questions” relating to your understanding and experience of racism.

Part 3:

This section provides a brief overview of the “Six Stages of Understanding and Dealing with Racism”. You will then be asked three questions which ask for you to give your opinion on what you just read.

You will then be asked to think about and note down, what behaviours or comments you might expect to see or hear at each of the six stages.

Part 4:

This comprises of four “open questions” which ask about potential barriers to speaking up about racism and what support may be useful, for those affect by racism.

The next two questions require a numbered response i.e., 1 – 5 with 1 meaning not well and 5 meaning really well.

At the end of the questionnaire, you will be asked whether you are willing to participate in a follow-up focus group. The focus group would be held virtually, over Zoom and would last approximately 1-hour. During the hour, researchers will briefly discuss and explore the Six Stages Framework, in order to inspire reflection amongst those participating. Most importantly, the focus group should encourage participants to reflect on where they think sit on the spectrum; of understanding and dealing with issues of race and diversity.

When you click “complete,” you will then be transferred to the next page. This final page =contains the debriefing sheet and the “Survey Circle” code, for those who use the Survey Circle platform.

*Unique Identifier Code: This allows the researchers to maintain confidentiality and your anonymity. Please use the first 3 letters of your last name, followed by the first 3 digits of your birthday. For example, if your last name is Smith and your birthday on 19/9/88, then your unique identifier code would be: Smi199

Data Collection and Storage:

All data will be stored according to the guidelines of the Data Protection Act 2018. Therefore, all digital information will be stored in a password-protected folder and paper-based information will be stored in a locked filing cabinet. Everyone will be assigned a unique identifier to prevent personal details from being linked directly with their data. Additionally, as all data and consent forms are confidential, they will also be destroyed upon completion of the research project, in line with journal guidelines if the research is published in an academic journal. However, if this paper is not published, data will be retained for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which it was processed; before being destroyed.

Benefits of taking part in the study

The benefits will most likely be experienced by the student population and staff members within Higher Educational Establishments; if this research is able to demonstrate that the Six Stages and its framework helps foster an understanding of, the varying perspectives of racism.

Disadvantages and risks of taking part

We foresee no significant risks by taking part in this research. However, as the questionnaire asks you to reflect on your experience(s) of racism, you may find some of the questions to be intrusive or difficult to answer.

Should this be the case, and you feel that you require additional support, you are encouraged to reach out to:

• Your GP
• NHS 111
• SHOUT: 85258 (text-helpline)
  • This is a confidential service that provides a text-helpline
  • Text “SHOUT” to above number or “YM” if you are under 19
  • More information can be found here: giveusashout.org
• The Samaritans: 116 123 (helpline)
  • This is a confidential service that provides a listening ear when you need someone to talk to
  • Or email: for a reply within 24 hours

Contact information

Thank you for reading about the research we wish to carry out, if you have any further questions and feedback (at any point during the research), please do not hesitate to contact the lead researcher Dr Shungu at .