Public History – Alumni Interview
Sheridan College
Spring Semester
Dear Participant:
This letter is an invitation to participate in a research study I am conducting for a Public History course project at the Sheridan College. I would like to provide you with more information about this project and what your involvement would entail if you decide to take part.
The project entails creating augmented reality exhibits around the Trafalgar campus to help us build community as we recover from the pandemic and settle back into in-person learning. The exhibits are meant to allow viewers to learn about some of the unique and engaging aspects of Sheridan’s history. Each exhibit will included a historic image “hung” in the place of its creation, accompanied by written and audio contextualization. Using free phone apps, users can literally walk around the historic image and learn about the context of its creation. Your role in this project is to help share your stories and photographs from your time at Sheridan.
Participation in this study is voluntary. It will involve an interview of approximately 45 minutes in length to take place in a mutually agreed upon location and time. The interview will be conducted by students during class with the professor present. You may decline to answer any of the interview questions if you so wish. Further, you may decide to withdraw from this study at any time by advising the student interviewers or the course instructor. Notes collected during this study will be retained for at least the end of the semester and in a secure location and then destroyed. Only the course instructor and students working on the project will have access to the data and the data will be password protected. Portions of the interview will be used by the students to create a public history project. You have the option of remaining anonymous or allowing the use of your name (or pseudonym) in the final project. There are no known or anticipated risks to you as a participant in this study.
The material from your interview will be used in the creation of a Public History project that will be made publicly available. You will have the opportunity to see the project before publication and will be able to stop/prevent its publication if you have any concerns.
This study has been reviewed and received ethics clearance through a Sheridan College Research Ethics Board (SREB No 2022-2-PA26a. If you have questions rights as a research participant, please contact the Chair of the Sheridan Research Ethics Board, Dr. Jaime Ginter, at jaime.ginter@sheridancollege.ca.
For all other questions regarding this study, or would like additional information to assist you in reaching a decision about participation, please contact me by email at Robert.tiegs@sheridancollege.ca or at (1-905-845-9430) ext. 2796.
Yours Sincerely,
Dr. Robert Tiegs
Professor of Public History
INFORMED CONSENT FORM
I have read the information presented in the information letter about a study being conducted by Dr. Robert Tiegs for the Public History course at Sheridan College. I have had the opportunity to ask any questions related to this study, to receive satisfactory answers to my questions, and any additional details I wanted. I am also aware that I will receive a copy of this form for my records.
Whether my interview is in person or virtual, I am aware that I have the option of allowing my interview to be video recorded to ensure an accurate recording of my responses.[1] I am also aware that excerpts from the interview and the photographs I provide may be included in the course public history project, with the understanding that the quotations and images/sound may be used. I am also aware that I have the option to use my name, an alias, or remain anonymous in the material used in the public history project. I am aware that I will be able to view the project before it is made public and can prevent it being made public.
This study has been reviewed and received ethics clearance through a Sheridan College Research Ethics Board (SREB No 2022-2-PA26a). If you have questions for the Board contact the Office of Research Ethics, at 1-905-845-9430 ext. 2702 or research@sheridancollege.ca.
For all other questions contact the professor at Robert.tiegs@sheridancollege.ca.
With full knowledge of all foregoing, I agree, of my own free will, to participate in this study.
YES NO
I was informed that I may withdraw my consent at any time by advising the student researcher or instructor.
YES NO
I agree to allow parts of this interview to be used in the creation of public history project which will be made public. I understand that I will be allowed to approve of the project before publication.
YES NO
I agree to have my personal photographs be used as part of the project.
YES NO
I agree to one of the following options related to the use of my personal information in the public history project:
I consent to the use of my name in any reproduction of quotes/sound/images of my interview in the public history project
I prefer to remain anonymous and not have my name, image, or voice recording used in the public history project
I prefer to use a pseudonym/alias of my name in any reproduction of sound/images of my interview in the public history project (Please list your preferred pseudonym/alias below).
Pseudonym/Alias ______________________
Participant Name: ____________________________ (Please print)
Participant Signature: ____________________________
Participant’s Current Residence: _____________________ (Province/Territory)
Witness Name: ________________________________ (Please print)
Witness Signature: ______________________________
Date: ____________________________
[1] It should be noted that the virtual interviews will be recorded using MS Teams. Depending on where the Microsoft servers are located, the interviews may be subject to US data security legislation, including the Patriot Act.