Welcome to the Reading Climate Teacher Book Club Experience.
Thank you for your interest.
Our team recognises the always owners of the lands we work, learn, read and on including Wurundjeri, Gadigal, and Kabi Kabi Country. This land was never ceded. We pay respects to all Indigenous colleagues contributing to this research.
We are interested in investigating the connections between sustainability and Indigenous knowledges in the context of school English and, in doing so, activate literature as an important interdisciplinary site for reimagining social and environmental futures. This research will support the dialogue around the value of Australian Indigenous literature in classrooms and society, specifically by thinking about the relationship between climate justice and Indigenous texts. Your responses will be kept completely confidential and deidentified.
By registering and completing the demographic survey you acknowledge that you have read the PLAIN LANGUAGE STATEMENT, and that also:
- Your participation in the study is voluntary.
- You are 18 years of age or older.
- You know that you may choose to terminate your participation anytime for any reason.
Plain Language Statement
Introduction
Thank you for your interest in this research project. The following few pages will provide you with further information about the project so that you can decide whether to participate.
Please take the time to read this information carefully. You may ask questions about anything you don’t understand or want to know more about.
Your participation is voluntary. If you don’t wish to participate, you don’t have to. If you begin participating, you can also stop at any time.
What is this research about?
This project is jointly funded by the University of Melbourne, the Australian Research Council, the Australian Association for Teachers (AATE), Feral Arts, and the Stella Prize. Its goal is to connect secondary English teachers with academic experts from the Faculty of Education, Indigenous authors, and educators to explore the link between Aboriginal literature and climate justice.
What will I be asked to do?
- Complete an online survey that takes approximately 20 minutes.
- Attend a series of teacher book clubs (6) - online and face-to-face duration approx. 60 minutes each session.
- Agree to the research team collecting artefacts and audio recordings of the online book club sessions for later transcription and analysis.
- Host a series of online student book clubs (4) - duration approx. 60 minutes. Teachers will be supported in preparing for these book clubs, drawing on the Indigenous-authored climate texts teachers engaged with during the teacher online book clubs.
- Attend an online focus group discussion (duration approx. 60 minutes).
- Agree to the audio recording of the focus group discussion for transcribing for later analysis.
What are the possible benefits?
This research will support the dialogue around the value of Australian Indigenous-authored literature in classrooms and society, specifically by thinking about the relationship between climate justice and Indigenous-authored texts. The project will explore the relationship between online book clubs and collaboration between teachers, authors, and experts in the field to help diversify the teaching of English. The project will link secondary teachers with academics and associated staff to support the teaching of Australian literature. This project positions secondary English teachers as collaborators, supporting professional development in research and pedagogy.
What are the possible risks?
While participation in this research project is expected to be largely beneficial, potential risks include emotional and psychological discomfort from engaging with sensitive topics related to climate change, Indigenous history, and social justice. Cultural risks may arise during discussions, as these topics could evoke strong feelings about identity. Teachers and students may experience emotional discomfort when discussing personal thoughts or feelings related to the book clubs or focus group discussions. There is also a risk of confidentiality concerns, as recorded sessions and collected artefacts might reveal personal information, even with measures in place to protect identities. Additionally, participants may feel pressure to share their opinions or experiences in group settings, which could lead to feelings of social anxiety or discomfort. Participants might also face time management challenges due to the commitments required for surveys, book clubs, and focus groups, potentially impacting their other responsibilities. It’s important for participants to be aware of these risks and feel comfortable discussing any concerns they may have before engaging in the research.
Do I have to take part?
No. Participation is entirely voluntary. You can withdraw from this project at any time.
Will I hear about the results of this project?
The research team will publicise the project outcomes through the project website journal articles, seminars, and professional development workshops.
What will happen to information about me?
Where possible, all personal information related to the project will be de-identified, but project-related data may still retain identifiers for contextual accuracy. All data will be stored in password-protected files on laptops owned by the researchers. Only the research team named in this application will have access to the data gathered, which will be used only for the purposes outlined in the project.
Data from this research will be securely stored at the University of Melbourne. It will be disposed of in accordance with the university’s policy 15 years after students participating in the project turn 18 and then appropriately destroyed.
Who is funding this project?
This research project is funded by several prestigious organisations, reflecting a strong collaborative effort to enhance educational practices. We are receiving $65,000 from the Australian Research Council and $92,000 from the Stella Prize, which demonstrates significant support for literary and educational initiatives. Additionally, the Australian Association for Teachers (AATE) is contributing $10,000, and Feral Arts is providing $15,000, cumulatively amounting to $182,000 in external funding.
To prevent external funding from influencing the research, an advisory board has been established to promote transparency. The board oversees the research and provides feedback, which fosters open communication about activities and decision-making, thus building trust among participants and stakeholders. Additionally, the board ensures transparent reporting of funding sources, findings, and ethical considerations to maintain accountability. Researchers adhere to ethical guidelines and keep clear boundaries, ensuring that funders have no direct role in decision-making, data collection, analysis, or interpretation of results.
Where can I get further information?
If you would like more information about the project, please get in touch with Professor Larissa McLean Davies at l.mcleandavies@unimelb.edu.au or Dr Clare Archer-Lean at carcher@usc.edu.au
Who can I contact if I have any concerns about the project?
This project has human research ethics approval from the University of Melbourne Ethics ID number 30774. If you have any concerns or complaints about the conduct of this research project, which you do not wish to discuss with the research team, you should contact the Research Integrity Administrator, Office of Research Ethics and Integrity, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010. Tel: +61 8344 1376 or Email: research-integrity@unimelb.edu.au. All complaints will be treated confidentially. In any correspondence, please provide the name of the research team and/or the research project’s name or ethics ID number.
Thank you for your interest in the project.
Larissa McLean Davies (PhD) (she/her) Professor in Languages and Literacies Education
Faculty of Education | 234 Queensberry Street | University of Melbourne | Vic 3010 Australia t: +61 (3) 8344 8610 | m: +61 481010485 | e: larissam@unimelb.edu.au | www.education.unimelb.edu.au