Research Information Sheet
My name is Jo Harbidge and I am the curate at St John’s Walton with Holymoorside. You may have heard that alongside my training as a curate in the Church of England I am also completing part-time study for a PhD. The PCC have recently approved my proposal to conduct some of my research through my placement as curate, with a focus on the Community Garden project. This information sheet seeks to make clear the nature of my research. It also provides the opportunity for you to opt out of the research project if you choose to. You are welcome to ask me more about it in person, by email or by phone.
or 07784834373
If you would like to discuss the project further, or have queries or concerns, you can speak to Ian Macleod (ianmacleod@sky.com) or Maurice Cartledge (mauricecartledge@hotmail.com) on the PCC for more information.
You can also contact my supervisor, to find out more:
Supervisor: Revd Dr Helen Collins, Vice Principal of Trinity College Bristol and Tutor in Practical Theology
Email: helen.collins@trinitycollegebristol.ac.uk
What am I researching?
The project that I am working on seeks to explore what happens when people in churches interact with people in their local community, using the idea of hospitality as a way of understanding these interactions. The aim of the work is to better understand the challenges that churches face when they reach out to communities, and how they can develop best practice. This section of my practical research will focus on the interactions and decisions made as the Community Garden at St John’s continues to grow.
How will I undertake the research?
As an Ethnographic researcher, I will be seeking to observe, explore and reflect on the dynamics between people as they interact as part of the project. This will include understanding and reporting on my own role in and experience of the project, as well as observing and reflecting on other people’s experiences and interactions.
During my first six-month research window, I will continue to be a part of the Community Garden team as a volunteer and as curate, helping at working parties and attending meetings. However, I will also keep a Research Journal to record my observations, thoughts and feelings about the dynamics of what unfolds.
Whilst working on the project, I will be fulfilling two roles – both curate and researcher. If you wish to speak to me about a matter unrelated to the Community Garden, please be assured I will be acting only as your curate. If you are unsure at any time, it is fine to ask me to clarify my role and to make it clear that you would like to speak to me outside the context of research. If you would prefer not to take part in the research, it is possible to opt out and details of how to do this are provided below.
I will not be observing or recording any reflections on under 18s or vulnerable adults.
Risks
There are no known risks associated with being a part of this study, other than the risks people already choose to undertake by taking part in physical work in the garden, or by attending church meetings or events. However, if at any time you feel distress in the course of a session where I am present as researcher, please inform me promptly.
Benefits
There are no guaranteed benefits to individuals taking part in the study. However, the intention of the study is to benefit both the community garden project itself and others who engage in similar initiatives by enriching our understanding of the practices of welcome, hospitality and missional partnerships between churches and communities.
Confidentiality
Every effort will be made to ensure as much confidentiality as possible to individuals, the community garden and the church as a whole. For example, when I write up the research, I will use pseudonyms – made up names – for any participants who I need to refer to individually. Furthermore, the name and location of the Church, and the garden project, will also be kept confidential in the write up.
However, it is possible that members of the project and wider community may recognise references to themselves and others within the work.
Photographs of participants will not be included in the final project.
Sharing my research
The finished project is unlikely to be published and as such will be only viewed by a small number of people including myself, my two academic supervisors and a limited number of internal and external examiners. However, once it is complete, it will be possible for members of the public to read it, for example through a college library.
I plan to share what I have learnt from the study with those involved with the Community Garden project, the PCC and with St John’s congregations once the project is complete.
Opting out
If you would prefer not to be observed as part of this project, it is fine to opt out altogether at any point. You can still volunteer and participate at the Community Garden and take part in activities and meetings, as much or as little as you please. Opting out would simply mean that I will not include any reflection or recording of your contribution to the garden, either in my note-taking or my final write up of the project. A decision to opt out is completely up to you, and can be kept confidential between us. However, I will need to keep a personal record of your name and we will need to be clear between us how I can identify you within a group.
To opt out, please email me on revjoharbidge@gmail.com or contact me via phone: 07784834373 or arrange to speak with me or one of the PCC contacts for the project, Maurice Cartledge or Ian Macleod, whose details are given above.