Call for Families

Thank you for your interest

We are delighted that you are considering being part of the Waves of Change carbon footprint audit.

Introduction

Waves of Change (WoC) is a research project led by Dr. Róisín Nash and Dr. João Frias of the Marine and Freshwater Research Centre (MFRC), Atlantic Technological University (ATU), in collaboration with Galway Atlantaquaria (GA). The Marine Institute (MI) funds this research project.

The overall aim of the project is to increase ocean literacy by addressing three main areas: (a) climate change, (b) biodiversity loss, and (c) ocean pollution.

The purpose of the Carbon Footprint Audits (CFA) is to assess waste and energy consumption in ten families over a one-year period, with the overall aim of lowering carbon footprints. The research team will provide families with all the resources and equipment necessary to conduct the audits. Focus group meetings (2) and workshops (2) will be conducted over the research period to ensure engagement and address any potential issues or questions the participants may have. In addition, the study will provide socio-economic strategies to enable participants to reduce their carbon footprint while improving their ocean literacy and environmental awareness.

Procedures

To participate in the Waves of Change Carbon Footprint Audits, participants must: (1) reside in Co. Galway; and (2) provide consent to participate in the study.

The Carbon Footprint Audit (CFA) is a voluntary study, and participants may withdraw at any time without being penalised or giving up any benefits they had prior to participating in the study. The research team will provide all necessary equipment and materials for the audits, such as electrical monitors, in a kit. The research team will require participants to return all provided equipment if they choose to withdraw from the study. The research team is looking for ten (10) families, composed of either four or five individuals, with at least two of them being consenting, decision-making adults in full mental capacity.

Participants will be asked to provide basic information about their lifestyle and consumption patterns, including supermarket, energy, and waste (e.g., bins) consumption. The research team will ask participants to provide electrical and waste bills. Confidentiality, privacy, and anonymity will always be ensured. No personal data or any other information will be shared with third parties. Data provided and/or collected by the research team will be processed and published in reports and/or potentially in scientific peer-reviewed journals, where confidentiality, anonymity, and privacy will be ensured at all times. Data will be stored in GDPR-compliant cloud systems already in place at ATU. Participation surveys will be available both in paper and digital versions to ensure equal standing.

Benefits

Each participating family, who consents to be part of this study for one year will receive One4all Gift cards valued at €150. The award will be divided in two instalments of €75 each.

-    Exclusion from participation: You cannot participate in this study if any of the following are true:

  • You reside outside of Co. Galway

  • If you do not provide a consent form

  • If you family is smaller than four individuals and greater than five individuals

Information Sheet

Purpose of the Study: As part of the contractual requirements for the research project “Waves of Change – promoting sustainable development and behaviour change through ocean literacy” funded by the Marine Institute, I must carry out a research study. The purpose of the study involving Carbon Footprint Audits (CFA) is to assess waste and energy consumption in ten families over a one-year period, with the overall aim to lower carbon footprints. The research team will provide families with all the resources and equipment necessary to conduct the audits. Focus groups meetings (2) and workshops (2) will be conducted over the research period, to ensure engagement and to address any potential issues or questions the participants may have. In addition, the study will provide socio‑economic strategies to enable participants to reduce their carbon footprint, while improving their ocean literacy and environmental awareness.

 What will the study involve? The study will involve easy procedures and time commitments. The study is voluntary will run over one year, and the research team will devise strategies to reduce your carbon footprint by focussing on energy savings and waste reduction. You will have to fill a survey at the start and at the end of the study and attend three meetings with the research team. You will also be asked to share energy and waste consumption over one year period. Based on the information provided the research team will devise a strategic plan to reduce your carbon footprint and save you money.

 Why have you been asked to take part? You have been asked because you demonstrated an interest in being part of this study and you are suitable candidate to provide data to this study. For further details about the study, please visit www.wavesofchange.net

 Do you have to take part? The simple answer is “no”. Participation in this study is voluntary. A consent form will be needed to participate in the research activities of Waves of Change, and a copy of it will be provided to you. Confidentiality, privacy, and anonymity of your data will be ensured at all times. Data collected will be securely saved and will not be shared with third parties. As this is a voluntary study, you can withdraw at any time. If you are considering withdrawing, please contact Dr Joao Frias (joao.frias@atu.ie) or Dr Roisin Nash (roisin.nash@atu.ie). Personal data collected about yourself and your family (e.g. from interviews) can be deleted at your request. If you wish to do so, please write to us, and allow 2 weeks for that process to take place.

 Will your participation in the study be kept confidential? Yes. Confidentiality, privacy, and anonymity will be ensured, meaning that any reference you, your identity, or the identity of your family will not be included in any project output. Also, any extracts from what you share with the research team, that might be used as a quote, will be entirely anonymous.

 What will happen to the information which you give? The data will be kept confidential for the duration of the project and will be retained for a further five years in a secure environment and then destroyed.

 What will happen to the results? The study results will be presented in progress reports to the funding agency and it is anticipated that the results will also be published in an academic peer-reviewed journals.

What are the possible disadvantages of taking part?

There are no disadvantages to participating in this study. Its purpose is to provide you with socio-economic strategies to reduce your carbon footprints, in other words, the project and study will allow you as a participant to be more environmentally aware in your daily lives, while saving you money. Therefore, the research team does not envisage any negative consequences from your participation.

 What if there is a problem? At the end of the interview, we will discuss your experience and how you are feeling about participating. If you feel unhappy with the process, you can contact another member of the research team (Dr Róisín Nash or Dr Noirin Burke).

 Who has reviewed this study? This study has been approved by ATU Research Ethics Committee, as approval must be given by the Institute before studies like this can take place.

Any further queries? If you need any further information, you can contact me:

Dr João Frias | 091 742 524 | joao.frias@atu.ie / https://mfrc-atu.ie/meet-the-team/dr-joao-frias/

Office hours: 9AM – 5 PM