Chief Investigator

Lauren Butler, PhD Candidate, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University​

Supervisors

Dr Grace Skrzypiec, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University, 8201 5878 and Professor Phillip Slee, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University, 8201 3243​

Description of the study

This PhD project will investigate children and families’ experiences of bushfires and wildfires, and interviews will be used to explore survivors’ experiences of recovery and their current needs. This project is supported by Flinders University, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work and funded by the Breakthrough Foundation.

Purpose of the study

This project aims to explore what families – children and parents - recovery experiences were like - how they fared, what helped them, what more could be done, and what their current needs are.

Benefits of the study

While you may not benefit directly from this research, the sharing of your experiences will help us to better understand what conditions need to be in place to help people recover well after devastating fires.

Participant involvement and potential risks

If you agree to participate in the research study, you and/or your child will be asked to:

• attend a one-on-one interview with the researcher that will be audio recorded in a mutually agreeable location

• respond to questions regarding your experiences as you sought to recover from a bushfire

The interview is confidential and will take about 30-45 minutes. Study participants will not be named, and individual information will not be identifiable in any documents associated with the study. Participation is entirely voluntary. Audio recordings will be destroyed once transcription is complete.

There is a risk that you or your child might become upset if a question triggers a painful memory from the past. In such a case, you or your child may choose to not answer that question or stop the interview. For adults, in extreme cases a supportive person can be contacted to come to assist you. Interviews with children will be conducted with a parent or support person within view. Phone numbers and links to online help will be made available to all participants.

• Lifeline – 13 11 14, www.lifeline.org.au

• Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636, www.beyondblue.org.au

• Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800, www.kidshelpline.com.au

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Withdrawal Rights

You or your child may decline to take part in this research study. If you or your child decide to take part and later change your mind, you or your child may withdraw at any time without providing an explanation. To withdraw, please contact the Chief Investigator, or you or your child may just refuse to answer any questions or leave the interview at any time. Any data collected up to the point of your or your child’s withdrawal will be securely destroyed.

Confidentiality and Privacy

Only researchers listed on this form have access to the individual information provided by you. Privacy and confidentiality will be assured at all times. The research outcomes may be presented at conferences, written up for publication or used for other research purposes as described in this information form. However, the privacy and confidentiality of individuals will be protected at all times. Neither you nor your child will be named, and individual information will not be identifiable in any research products.

No data, including identifiable, non-identifiable and de-identified datasets, will be shared, or used in any other future research projects without your explicit consent.

Data Storage

The information collected may be stored securely on a password protected computer and/or Flinders University server throughout the study. Any identifiable data will be de-identified for data storage purposes. Deidentified data will be stored with coded IDs that cannot identify the individual concerned. All deidentified data will be securely stored at Flinders University for 10 years after publication of the results. Following the required data storage period, all data will be securely destroyed according to university protocols.

How will I receive feedback?

After being interviewed, you will have the opportunity to indicate if you would like to review and edit your transcript when it is completed. On project completion, a short summary of the outcomes will be published here on the project’s website.

Ethics Committee Approval

The project has been approved by Flinders University’s Human Research Ethics Committee project number 5627.​

Queries and Concerns

Queries or concerns regarding the research can be directed to the research team. If you have any complaints or reservations about the ethical conduct of this study, you may contact the Flinders University’s Research Ethics & Compliance Office team via telephone 08 8201 2543 or email human.researchethics@flinders.edu.au.

Thank you for taking the time to read this information sheet which is yours to keep. A child-friendly version of this information sheet is available to help you explain the project to your child if you choose to ask them if they want to be involved. If you and/or your child accept our invitation to be involved, please either print and sign the printable consent form/s, or complete the online consent form/s.