About the project

The Community Knowledge Sharing Conversations are part of a study led by researchers at Health Canada and the University of Ottawa in collaboration with the Immigrants Working Centre, Hamilton Community Legal Clinic and City of Hamilton Public Health.

The purpose of the study is to find ways to make health research on environmental chemicals more inclusive, useful and without harm for equity-deserving communities.

The Community Knowledge Sharing Conversations are for current residents of Hamilton who identify with populations that have historically been excluded from research and conversations about environmental chemicals and health. This includes people who identify as Black or racialized community members, newcomers to Canada, and people living on low income.

What you are asked to do

• Participate in a 2.5-hour Community Knowledge Sharing Conversation with 8-15 other Hamilton residents and members of our research team at the Immigrants Working Centre
• Share thoughts or concerns you may have about pollution/chemicals and health
• Talk with others in the group about what it would be like to participate in an environmental health research study, including potential motivators or barriers.
• Share ideas on how such studies could be more inclusive and beneficial for communities.

The session will be audio-recorded for research purposes.

Potential concerns

1. There could be some stress related to talking about the pollution/toxic chemicals and effects on health.
2. There could be stress or discomfort from sharing your views/ideas with other participants and/or members of the research team.

Addressing the concerns:

• If you experience stress or discomfort during the session, please let us know. We will have a support person available. We can also refer you to a relevant agency for support, if requested.
• We will not use your name in any reports or presentations.
• You will be invited to fill out a questionnaire at the end of the session. This is a way for you to share views and ideas that you may not be comfortable sharing in the group.

Potential benefits of participating:

1. You will have a chance to learn about environmental health research in Canada and ways that chemicals/pollution can affect health.
2. You may feel good about helping to find ways that environmental health research can better serve communities such as yours.
3. You will receive a meal and an honorarium (gift card).
4. You may enjoy the opportunity to meet and socialize with others in your community.

Voluntary participation

Participation is voluntary. You are free to leave at any time without needing to give a reason.

Confidentiality

• Your name will not be connected to what you say.
• The audio recording and your completed questionnaire will be accessible only to researchers at the University of Ottawa (E. Phipps and 1-2 research assistants).
• The transcription (typed out version) of the recording and a summary of participants’ responses to the questionnaire, with all names removed, may be seen by the research team members listed above.
• All materials will be kept in a locked cabinet or on password protected Internet-based platforms (DropBox, NVivo, SurveyMonkey) for five years. After five years, the data will be sent to the University of Ottawa archives where it will be protected and stored indefinitely.

Use of information

Information and ideas shared during a Community Knowledge Sharing Conversation may be used in:

• Report(s) to Health Canada on ways to improve environmental health research to better serve equity-deserving communities
• A summary report to be shared with the community
• Presentations at professional conferences or other events
• Publications such as scholarly articles, journals or books.

In all cases, the information will be summarized in a way that will not personally identify anyone. Your name will not be used. Some information about you, such as your age or gender, may be used alongside written quotes about your views and experiences.

Compensation

• You will receive a $50 honorarium for your time participating in the session
• A meal will be provided to all registered participants
• If you have local travel costs (bus or taxi), these will be covered if you request travel support in advance or if you provide the receipt(s)
• Child care/child minding will be available for those who request it in advance

Funding and support of the research

This study is funded by a contract issued to the University of Ottawa by Health Canada.