Making an impact through research…
This is just a quick update to let you know about 3 research projects that Becky is involved with over the next 12 months - which may take time away from MissFits Workout and lead to a reduced timetable for short periods of time. Hopefully many of you will support Becky’s decision to contribute to research in the hope to bring about some tangible change to the industry - it’s a big change but Becky is keen to do what she can beyond the weekly class timetable to bring about change for all - not just those of you who have first-hand experience of the MissFits Magic!
MissFits Workout isn’t going anywhere - but during the next 12 months you may experience a stripped back version for a short time - please stick around to see how the projects develop and to see how things progress for MissFits Workout in the near future…
Becky is going to be involved in 3 key research projects:
Her Masters Dissertation - details to follow but there will be opportunities for you to contribute to this research whether you’re a current attendee or not! You will be able to complete a survey and share it with your networks to increase participation. More information to follow later in the year…
MissFits Workout is taking part in some ethnographic research - starting next week - where a researcher will be joining classes to experience the MissFits Magic for themselves - see details below. There will be opportunities to get involved for those who wish to share their experiences. You can also still attend classes if you do not wish to participate in the research.
Becky is working alongside researchers at the Centre for Appearance Research to support a project looking at fitness professionals and their approaches to working with fat clients.
All three projects offer an opportunity to contribute to actual real-life research and Becky did not want to miss out on the opportunity to develop her academic skills and build a new network of colleagues.
Any disruption to MissFits Workout timetables will be share in advance and will be temporary! We have big plans for the future but we need to build strong foundations first…
Updates:
Week commencing 02 October
Ethnographic research starting next week…
Here’s the information about the project starting next week. If you don’t want to read the information you can see Vick talking about her project here!
Project Title: Everyday experiences of weight-neutral physical activity spaces in England
Researcher: Vick Empson (she/her)
Contact details: victoria.empson@durham.ac.uk
Funder: Economic and Social Research Council
You are being invited to take part in a research study which forms part of my PhD which I am doing at Durham University. Before you decide whether to participate in this study, it is important that you understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please take the time to read the following information carefully. You may wish to discuss it with others before deciding. For any further information or questions about my research, please contact me via the above email.
What is the purpose of the study?
I am investigating everyday experiences of higher-weight people who are using “weight-neutral” physical activity spaces and services in England, i.e. where weight-loss is not the reason or desired outcome for doing the activity. I am looking to explore the ways in which you, as either a provider or user of such a service or group, experience moving your body (e.g. when you do yoga, hike, or lift weights), and spending time with others who are doing the same, in a space which isn’t trying to make your body any smaller. I’m interested in why you’ve created or chosen a class or group like this (rather than doing things like running or going to your local gym), what it feels like, and how you feel that it affects you, your health, and general wellbeing. I’m also interested in how you might imagine your future health and wellbeing could be better catered for in your area.
I am therefore predominantly looking to spend time, speak with, and exercise alongside adults (18+) who self-identify as being either “fat” or at a higher-weight and are either providing or using such classes or groups. I use the word “fat” to describe myself, and use this word as a neutral descriptor of my body size (in the same way that “thin” might be used). I do not use it in a derogatory way or as a slur. Having heard it used as a slur for much of my life, it took me a long while to use it in this way, and I know many will not feel comfortable doing so. If you choose to participate in this study, I will use whatever word you feel comfortable with in describing your own body size, whether that be higher-weight, bigger-bodied, plus-size (generally by reference to being a UK size 18 or above), or any other word that you would like to use.
Do I have to take part?
Participation in this study is entirely voluntary. You are free to decide whether or not to take part. If you do decide to take part, you will be asked to sign a Consent Form, and you will be given a copy of it to keep.
What will happen if I take part?
In order to understand how you and others are engaging in weight-neutral physical activity, exercise or movement, over the course of a 6 months, I am spending time observing and participating in classes or groups where weight-loss is explicitly rejected as being a goal or purpose. This may also involve having one on one chats with me after the class, or having a bigger informal chat with a group of people. My attendance at a particular class will always be flagged at the outset, and you can request that I do not participate in a particular class at any time, withdraw your consent to participate before or after the class or after any conversation, or otherwise refuse to participate in the study. I will be making handwritten notes in a diary, which I will later type up. I may also, with your permission, audio-record some conversations which we might have, which I will later transcribe. Once transcribed, I will delete the recording.
What are the risks and benefits to participating?
The risks associated with this study are not expected to surpass the risks that you come across in everyday life. However, conversations may deal with areas such as body image, wellbeing, and physical and mental health, which may make you uncomfortable or upset. You can refuse to answer any questions that you do not wish to answer at any time, and you can withdraw from the study at any time. While I am not a trained counsellor, I am also happy to for you to contact me if you need further support. Whilst there are no immediate benefits for those participating in the project, I am investigating the ways that people who are at a higher weight are engaging with their health and wellbeing outside of a weight-loss framework. By participating in the study, you will be offering first-hand insight into this.
Will I be able to be identified in the study?
If you choose to participate, the information that you share with me and the fact that you have participated in the study will remain strictly confidential, which means that I will use best endeavours to ensure that no one other than me will have access to your details or any information which you share with me. The only exception to this is in the event that one of my supervisors (named below) examined the raw data for the purposes the supervision of my PhD. Further, when I write up the study, your identity will not be revealed, and I will summarise anything you have said to me, unless you have given me express permission to use your quotes exactly as you said them to me.
How will my data be handled?
I will assign you with a fake name for the purposes of storing information which you share with me, and this will only be associated with your real personal data (such as your name and email address) in a document which is protected with a password. When I have finished my data collection, I will destroy this document. I will also keep all Consent Forms (showing your name and signature) in a password-protected file. In the event that I am conducting audio-recording of the interview or focus group, I will destroy the recording as soon as I have transcribed and anonymised them. I will otherwise handle your data in accordance with Durham University’s Privacy Notice, which can be found here: https://www.durham.ac.uk/about-us/governance/information-governance/privacy-notices/generic-privacy-notice/
What happens to my data if I withdraw?
You are able to withdraw from the study at any point, without giving a reason. However, once I finish my data collection and destroy the password-protected file which identifies which data is yours, I will be unable to destroy your data and your anonymised data will therefore be retained within the study. If you have any concerns about such use of your data, please contact me to discuss it further.
What will happen to the results of the study?
I will be writing up the study for my PhD thesis, which, upon my successful submission, will be publicly available as part of Durham University’s print and online archive. I may also publish articles in the press and academic journals, and present at academic conferences, on the results of the study. I may also refer to the study’s results on social media. I can be found on Twitter @VictoriaEmpson.
Further information
The plan for this study has been reviewed and approved by Durham University’s Ethics Committee. If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact me. You can also contact my supervisors, Dr Rachel Colls and Professor Sarah Atkinson, at the following emails: Rachel.colls@durham.ac.uk and s.j.atkinson@durham.ac.uk in the event of any issue.
Thank you for reading this information and considering taking part in this study.
