We are inviting you to take part in a research study. Before you decide, it is important that you know why we are doing the study and what is involved. Please read the following information carefully.

What is the purpose of the study?
We are interested in understanding lived experiences of people who identify on the asexuality spectrum. By investigating this topic, we hope to learn more about the individual and shared experiences of people who identify on the asexuality spectrum, to inform future research and support. Additionally, we hope this study will contribute to a growing field of both academic and popular literature to foster better understanding of the ace experience outside of the ace community.

Am I eligible to take part?
You are being invited to take part because all adults (18+) living in the UK who identify as a person on the asexual spectrum are eligible to do so, providing they are also able to read and speak English, use a computer and have access to a smart phone or camera.

We are intentionally seeking a diverse range of participants to ensure wide representation of lived experience. We aim to recruit approximately 30 people from across the ace spectrum and intersectional demographics.

Do I have to take part?
Participation is completely voluntary. You should only take part if you want to and choosing not to take part will not disadvantage you in anyway. By completing the questionnaire and participating in the photovoice aspects of the research (taking photos, submitting photos and attending an online focus group) you are consenting to the use of your data in the study. If you take part, you are free to withdraw without giving a reason for up to two-weeks after completing each part of the study by contacting Meg Underwood ([email protected]). After two weeks your data will be anonymised and added to our dataset, and it will not be possible to remove it.

What will I be asked to do?
Recruitment and data collection will take place in three parts; the recruitment phase, photovoice data collection phase and focus group discussion phase.

You will first be asked to give your consent electronically. You will then be asked to complete a demographic questionnaire. You will be asked for a contact email address, which will be used by the researcher for communication during the study. The recruitment phase will run from 1 October to 15 November, 2026.

Photovoice is a research method that requires participants to respond to a series of prompts by taking photos that represent their personal lived experience. Selected participants will receive an invitation to join the photovoice element of the study by the end of the recruitment period (15 November, 2026).

If you are invited to take part, you will receive a pre-recorded video briefing explaining the photovoice process and introducing the prompts. These will also be provided in written form.

You will have two weeks to consider the prompts, take your photos and upload your selected images to our secure online server.

You will then be invited to join an online focus group. In this focus group, you will be able to share your selected images and view the images of others taking part in that specific focus group, as part of an open and supportive discussion. These focus groups will take place via Microsoft Teams and the content will be recorded, transcribed and securely stored. Focus groups will take place between 16 and 27 November, 2026.

Following completion of all focus groups, you will be contacted via email with debrief information and offered the opportunity to give consent for your photos to be featured in dissemination materials once the study is complete. We hope to curate an exhibition of these photos alongside key findings, as well as including some images as examples in our written report.

While reference to the content and discussion of your images may be included in our findings, this data will be anonymised and the images themselves will not be shared, published or featured anywhere outside of the focus groups if you do not give this additional consent.

Microsoft Teams AI will be used to transcribe the content of the focus groups. All transcriptions will be quality checked by the researcher as part of the analysis process and this data will be stored securely.

Will I be paid expenses for taking part?
You will not be paid to participate in the study.

What are the possible benefits/risks of taking part?
Benefits include contributing to collaborative research that fosters a better understanding of the lived experiences of people on the asexuality spectrum, validates personal identity, and aims to contribute to better, more inclusive support. Additionally, there is the benefit of connecting with other people on the asexuality spectrum via our focus groups and being part of this creative project and its discussion.

Due to the nature of this research centring lived experience, you may feel uncomfortable with the content of the images you or others share.

All data will be anonymised for analysis/publication however the nature of an online focus group discussion means that you will be in conversation with the researcher and some of the other participants via MS Teams.

Will anyone know I have taken part?
The University of Lincoln (UoL) is the sponsor for this study based in the United Kingdom. We will be using information from you to undertake the research and will act as the data controller for this study. This means that we are responsible for looking after your information and using it properly.

The research team will keep your name and contact details confidential and secure. The research team will use this information as needed, to contact you about the research study, and make sure that relevant information about the study is recorded for your care, and to oversee the quality of the study. Certain individuals from UoL may look at your research records to check the accuracy of the research study.

Your participation will be confidential unless you reveal that you or someone you know is at serious risk of harm. We will talk about it with you so that we can work out together how best to handle this.

You will not be identified in any report/publication if you do not wish to be.

Where will my data be stored?
The data obtained from the study will be stored securely on the university OneDrive in password protected files. Only the researcher/researchers will have access to it.

We will keep identifiable information (e.g. contact details) about you up to the point in time when we invite your consent for your photos to be included in dissemination. If you do not consent, we will delete all contact details. If you do consent, we will continue to be in touch on matters related to this research project and its dissemination only.

What will happen if I don’t want to carry on with the study?
If you take part, you are free to withdraw without giving a reason during any portion of the study and for up to two-weeks after completing each part of the study by contacting Meg Underwood ([email protected]). During the study, you can withdraw by not submitting any photos or by leaving the focus group at any point. After two weeks your data will be anonymised and added to our dataset, and it will not be possible to remove it.

What will happen to the results of the research study?
After the study is finished, we will publish the results in academic journals, websites and conference presentations, and via the University of Lincoln repository. All published data will be anonymised, and we will ask for separate consent before including any of your photos in published materials. You will be emailed after the study has finished with debrief information, including an invitation to consent for your photos to be included in published materials, as well as being featured in a photographic exhibition.
 

It is very unlikely that this study would cause you any harm. If you have a concern or a complaint about any aspect of this study, you should ask to speak to the researchers who will do their best to answer your questions. The researchers contact details are given at the end of this information sheet.

If you remain unhappy and wish to complain formally, you can make a formal complaint through the University complaints procedure or by contacting [email protected].

Researcher: Meg Underwood | [email protected]

Supervisor: Dr Sarah Sauvé | [email protected]

Offering online forums, educational resources, peer support and community spaces for people on the asexual and aromantic spectrums.

https://www.asexuality.org
 

LGBTQIA+ specific UK-wide helpline

Phone: 0800 0119 100

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://switchboard.lgbt
 

 

The University of Lincoln is the lead organisation and will be the data controller for this study. This means that we are responsible for looking after your information and using it properly.

The university’s Research Participant Privacy Notice (https://ethics.lincoln.ac.uk/research-privacy-notice/) explains how we will be using information from you in order to undertake this study.

If you feel that we have let you down in relation to your information rights then please contact the Information Compliance Team by email on [email protected] or by post at Information Compliance, Legal and Compliance Services, Lawress Hall, Riseholme Park, Lincoln, LN2 2LG.

You can also make complaints directly to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). The ICO is the independent authority upholding information rights for the UK. Their website is ico.org.uk and their telephone helpline number is 0303 123 1113.