Research Information Letter and Participant Consent Form

Information Letter & Consent Form

Title of Study: Climate Education in Teacher Education (CETE)

Who is conducting the study?

Dr. Hartley Banack
School of Education
University of Northern British Columbia
Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9
hart.banack@unbc.ca
250-960-5317

Who is sponsoring the study?

The study is being funded by a Climate Change Education – Teacher Education (CCE-TE) Accelerator Grant for Faculties of Education and SSHRC Insight Development Grant.

What is the purpose of the study?

We want to learn about how UNBC Teacher Candidates and northern BC teachers from School Districts #52 (Prince Rupert) and #57 (Prince George) understand climate change and climate education.

You are being invited to take part in this research study because you have important knowledge and experience to share around the topic of climate education, based on your experiences as a UNBC Teacher Candidate or northern BC teacher from SD #52 or #57.

This study examines climate education via experiences of UNBC Teacher Candidates and northern BC teachers (SD #52 or #57). The project also provides UNBC Teacher Candidates and northern BC teachers (SD #52 or #57) with information and resources around climate education that Teacher Candidates and in-service teachers might use in their practice.

Participation in this study is entirely voluntary, and you are in no way obligated to participate in this research. You are free to withdraw from this study at any time. You are also free not to answer any questions that make you feel uncomfortable or participate in any events you do not wish to. Whether or not UNBC Teacher Candidates participate will have no bearing on academic standing.

What will happen during the study?

Teacher Candidate participants will be recruited through the UNBC School of Education via announcements and in-person/online information sessions. In-service teacher participants will be recruited through the School District #52 and #57 emails, posters in staffrooms, and short presentations offered online via the CETE webpage: https://www2.unbc.ca/education/climate-education-teacher-education

Teacher Candidates and in-service teachers who consent to participate in the research will be asked to:

1) complete an online pre-survey and an online post-survey (10-15 minutes each)

2) partake in four 90-minute climate education workshops (in-person or online)

3) share documents from coursework, practicum, classroom, or professional development around climate change education

4) join in a focus group, post-practicum, with other participants to discuss climate change education

All data collected from you will be anonymized and data collection will take place between the months of September 2024 through June 2025.


Is there any way that participating in this study could harm you?

We do not think there is anything in this study that could harm you. Some of the questions we ask may seem sensitive or personal and might upset you. Many people express anxiety around climate change. The surveys will be anonymous. Remember, you do not have to answer any question if you do not want to and let us know if you have any concerns. We also have provided some resources you may access if you are feeling like you need to talk or seek support.

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* 1. Participant Consent and Withdrawal

Taking part in this study is voluntary and entirely up to you. You have the right to refuse to participate in this study. If you decide to take part, you may choose to pull out of the study at any time without giving a reason and without any negative impact on you or on your standing in the University or the School District. The data provided up to the point of withdrawal will also be removed from the study.

By clicking “I consent” below, you indicate your signature and that you have received a copy of this consent form for your own records. Consent will be renewed after one year, if participants wish to continue in the study.

CONSENT (please click ONE response below for each statement)


I have read or been described the information presented in the information letter about the project:

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* 2. I have had the opportunity to ask questions about my involvement in this project and to receive additional details I requested:

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* 3. I understand that if I agree to participate in this project, I may withdraw from the project at any time up until the report completion, with no consequences:

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* 4. I have been provided a copy of the Information Letter and Consent Form (click here to download the form):

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* 5. I agree to be audio recorded:

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* 6. Please indicate if you would like to receive a PDF copy of the final report of the findings once the study has been completed.

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* 7. Please provide an email address for participation in the study. This cannot be an institutional (UNBC or School District) email. Only personal email addresses.

This email address will also be used to inquire about staying involved in the project over time. Consent will be obtained annually.

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