More information HERE. Recruitment information in Spanish and Portuguese.
Researcher: My name is Dr Sebastian Cordoba, and I am a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at London Metropolitan University. My research focuses on gender, sexuality, identity, and language.
Email: s.cordoba@londonmet.ac.uk
Twitter: @scordoban
Thank you for your interest in taking part in this project! Please take time to read the following information carefully. If there is anything that is not clear or if you would like more information, please feel free to ask me any questions.
What is the purpose of the project?
You are being invited to take part in a research project to explore the lived experiences of trans and non-binary Latin American people living in London.
This research aims to understand how trans and non-binary Latin American people understand their migration histories in the context of their gender and sexual identities and to explore how you navigate your identities among Latin American and queer communities, with a focus on psychological well-being.
Who can participate?
You must:
- Be 18 and over.
- Have lived in London for at least one year.
- Have been born in a Latin American country: Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico.
- Identify as trans and/or non-binary.
What will happen during the interview?
This interview will be conducted using the ‘Walking Interview’ technique. This means that we will have a conversation while we walk around an agreed location, such as your neighbourhood, your favourite place in London, a park, or another public space that is meaningful to you. We will agree on a meeting location and route ahead of the interview, ensuring it is safe for both of us and not in a high-traffic, loud, or congested area. This route will avoid road crossing and, where possible, use underpasses and bridges. Additionally, we will ensure that the route is near establishments, public toilets, and places to sit. Please note that we may need to reschedule the meeting in case of adverse weather conditions.
The interviews will be conducted during the day and will last approximately 90 minutes. I will ask questions regarding your migration history, identities, communities, emotions, and well-being. All interviews will be audio-recorded.
Walking interview
Please remember to wear weather-appropriate clothing, comfortable footwear, and bring water. Although extremely unlikely, low-intensity exercise such as walking can reveal unsuspected heart or circulation issues. Therefore, please let the researcher know if you would like to stop and sit at any time during the interview or whether you would prefer to meet indoors. You may withdraw from this study at any point during the interview without providing a reason.
Visible and invisible disabilities
If you prefer to be interviewed indoors for any reason, we can agree on a convenient, quiet location instead. Please let me know if this is your preference ahead of the interview.
Emergencies
In case of emergencies such concern of risk to life, violence, or other emergencies such as street harassment, we will move to the establishment identified in the route plan and we will call 999. If a phone signal is unavailable, we will ask people for help and go to the nearest public establishment – which we identify when we agree on the walking route beforehand. If necessary, the researcher will carry out basic first aid, as recommended by the NHS or will call 111 for instructions: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/first-aid/
Do I have to take part?
Your participation in this study is voluntary. You may withdraw your participation during the interview without providing a reason.
What will you do with my data?
The interview will be transcribed verbatim, translated, and anonymised using a pseudonym. All identifiable information (e.g., address, place of work, names, etc.) will be removed from the dataset. All data will be analysed by Dr Sebastian Cordoba and a Research Assistant. Anonymised data will be used in presentations, reports, and academic publications.
If I change my mind, what happens to my information?
You will have up to three weeks to withdraw from this study. Anonymised data will be stored in a password-protected computer for up to five years.
What are the advantages and possible disadvantages or risks of taking part?
You will receive a £20 gift voucher for participating in this study. It is hoped that findings from this study will provide evidence-based policy recommendations, such as the need for recognition of the Latin American community in census data and other major institutions in the UK to enable further, large-scale research on this population.
The risk of participating in this study is minimal, if any. If you feel uncomfortable talking about your experiences, please let me know, and we can stop and/or move on to the next question. If you are distressed during the interviews, we can refer you to the nearest healthcare services provider or local community-based organisations for support. We will conduct the interviews in a mutually agreed private place to make it difficult for other people to hear what you say. The information you tell us will be used only for this study.
Dr Sebastian Cordoba 