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Project Information & Consent Form

Welcome — About This Project

Thank you for your interest in participating in this research and development project led by Douglas Belton II, PhD Candidate at Western Sydney University’s Institute for Culture & Society. Supported by partners Mount Druitt Ethnic Communities Agency and Project Sweetie Pie, insights from this project will help shape new approaches to community-led land and economic planning and development innovation in Western Sydney, Australia and the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro region, U.S.A..

Interviews are 45–60 minutes and may include reactions to concept materials.

Participation is voluntary and confidential. Before deciding whether to participate, please see the Participant Information Sheet and if you consent to participate please complete the Participant Consent Form and Preferences below.

Participant Information Sheet

Project Title: Reworlding the “Real World”: Community-led Interventions in Food and Human Settlement Innovation

About This Study You are invited to take part in a research study led by Douglas Belton II, a PhD candidate at Western Sydney University (WSU), supervised by Professor Stephen Healy. This study explores what helps and what makes it difficult for communities to plan and run their own local food security and affordable housing projects.

Who is Paying for This Study? The study is funded through an industry partnership scholarship between WSU's Institute for Culture and Society, Mount Druitt Ethnic Communities Agency (MECA), and formerly, Lyceum Partners + Design Inc. (LPDI). What Will I Be Asked to Do? You will take part in one session (online or in person), which includes:

1. Interview (up to 1.5 hours) A conversation with Douglas about your experiences and ideas related to food and housing in your community.

2. Design Feedback Activity (up to 60 minutes) Douglas will share an idea to improve food and/or housing access. You will be asked to share your thoughts and suggestions.

Total Time Commitment: Up to 2.5 hours What Are the Benefits? • You’ll be helping shape new ideas to improve food and housing access. • You’ll connect with others who care about these issues. • Your input could help shift efforts from short-term food rescue to long-term community-led solutions. Are There Any Risks or Discomforts? • You may be asked to talk about personal experiences with food or housing insecurity. If any question makes you uncomfortable, you don’t have to answer. • You can take breaks or stop at any time. • If you prefer not to be identified, you can let Douglas know. MECA will not be involved in identifying or recording your data. • In the workshop (if with others), you’ll be asked to keep what others share confidential. • Douglas will do his best to make sure everyone is treated fairly and included equally, especially considering any power differences between participants. How Will the Results Be Shared? The results may be shared in reports, presentations, or Douglas’ PhD thesis. Your name or personal details will not be used unless you give permission. Results may also be shared by MECA if they choose to. What Happens to the Information I Give? • Only the research team will have access to your raw data. • Your data may be used in similar future projects related to community-led food and housing security. • Data will be securely stored for 5 years after the study ends, then destroyed. Can I Stop Being Part of the Study? Yes. You can leave the study at any time, and anything you shared will be deleted if you request it. Can I Share This With Others? Yes. Feel free to share Douglas' contact details with others who might be interested. Need More Information? If you have questions, contact: • Douglas Belton: d.belton@westernsydney.edu.au • Professor Stephen Healy: s.healy@westernsydney.edu.au • Dr. Louise Crabtree-Hayes: l.crabtree-hayes@westernsydney.edu.au Privacy Notice WSU follows strict rules on collecting, storing, and using your information. You can read about this here: https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/privacy Concerns or Complaints? Email WSU's Human Research Ethics Committee at humanethics@westernsydney.edu.au. Your concerns will be confidential and fully investigated. Ethics Approval This project has been approved by the Western Sydney University Human Research Ethics Committee. Approval number: H16657 Use of Information in Future Research We’re asking your permission to allow your anonymous data to be used in future research that is: • An extension or close match to this study • Focused on improving community food and housing systems The data will be securely stored and only used again if approved by an ethics committee. No one will be able to identify you unless you agree to be identified. For more on how research data is reused, see: https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/national-statement-ethical-conduct-human-research-2007-updated-2018

Participant Consent Form

Project Title: Reworlding the “Real World”: Community-led Interventions in Food and Human Settlement Innovation

This study has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee at Western Sydney University. The ethics reference number is: H16657

I hereby consent to participate in the above-named research project. I acknowledge that: • I have read the participant information sheet (or where appropriate, have had it read to me) and have been given the opportunity to discuss the information and my involvement in the project with the researcher/s • The procedures required for the project and the time involved have been explained to me, and any questions I have about the project have been answered to my satisfaction.

I consent to:

Participating in an interview

Participating in a concept design workshop

I consent for my data and information provided to be used in this project and other related projects for an extended period of time. I understand information gained during the study may be published and stored for other research use. The information may potentially reveal my identity. I understand that I can withdraw from the study at any time without affecting my relationship with the researcher/s, the University and any organisations involved, now or in the future.

Signature

Name (First and Last)

Date

Verbal Consent

By selecting verbal consent, you agree that your interview may begin with a recorded verbal statement documenting your consent.

Privacy Notice Western Sydney University staff and students conduct research that may require the collection of personal and/or health information from research participants. The University's Privacy Policy and Privacy Management Plan set out how the University collects, holds, uses and discloses personal or health information. Further details about the use and disclosure of this information can be found on the Privacy at Western Sydney webpage.

What if I have a complaint? If you have any complaints or reservations about the ethical conduct of this research, you may email the Ethics Committee through Research Services: humanethics@westernsydney.edu.au. Any issues you raise will be treated in confidence and investigated fully, and you will be informed of the outcome.

Interview Preferences

Date / Time Preferences

How Do You Prefer to Participate?

In person

Remotely using digital tools

What is Your Best Email and Phone #?

Participant Identification

Select this option if you prefer your real named to be used in the reporting of this research. Not selecting this option means a pseudonym (i.e. a made up name) will be used instead.