You are being invited to take part
Before you decide, it is important you understand why the research is
being done and what it would involve for you. Please read this page
carefully and ask us anything that is not clear.
Who is running the study?
The study is run by Professor Hugo Spiers (UCL Experimental
Psychology) and Dr Fiona Zisch (UCL Bartlett School of
Architecture), at University College London.
What is the study about?
We are studying how people move through and experience built
environments — how the layout of a space affects the way groups
of people navigate it. Findings help inform how buildings are
designed. We keep this description general on purpose: knowing exactly
what we are measuring could change how you behave on the day, which
would affect the results.
Why have I been invited?
You registered your interest in taking part in UCL research, or were
told about the study by someone who did. We are looking for adults who
can attend a single session at UCL PEARL in September 2026.
Do I have to take part?
No. Taking part is entirely voluntary. If you decide to take part you
can still stop at any point during the session, without giving a
reason and without any consequence. You do not have to answer any
question you would rather not answer.
What will happen if I take part?
- You come to UCL PEARL in Dagenham for one visit. Please
allow 2 hours on site.
- A researcher will greet you, brief you in person, and go through a
consent form with you before anything begins.
- You will walk through a large indoor space that has been arranged
into a particular layout, at the same time as other participants.
- Your position in the space is recorded by overhead cameras. This is
used to track movement paths only.
- You will not wear an EEG headset or any head-worn sensors in
this session.
- There are breaks, and you can sit down, pause or leave at any
time.
What do I need to be able to do?
You need to be able to move around a large indoor space unaided for up
to an hour. Because everyone is in the space together, we are not able
to accommodate participants who need another person or a mobility aid
with them during the session. We check this before you book, so that
nobody travels to Dagenham for a session they cannot take part in.
Are there any risks?
The risks are low and everyday: you will be walking and standing for
periods, and you will be in a moderately busy space with other people.
If you find crowded spaces distressing, this study is not suitable for
you. Nothing invasive or physically demanding is involved. You can stop
at any moment.
Are there any benefits?
You will receive £30 for taking part, after your session.
You will also be contributing to research on how buildings can be
designed to work better for the people who use them.
What data do you collect, and what happens to it?
- Booking details — your name, email address and chosen
session, used only to organise the sessions and contact you about
them.
- Questionnaire responses — the demographic and
personality questions you answer when booking.
- Session data — anonymous movement paths recorded
during the session.
Data is stored on UCL systems. Your responses are separated from your
name and anonymised before analysis, and results are only ever
reported at group level — never in a way that identifies you.
Research data is retained for 10 years.
University College London is the data controller. We process your data
on the legal basis of a task carried out in the public interest.
You have the right to ask what data we hold about you, to have it
corrected, and to ask us to delete it. To do so, or to raise a concern,
contact UCL's Data Protection team at
data-protection@ucl.ac.uk. Full details are in the
UCL General Privacy Notice.
Can I withdraw after taking part?
Yes. You can ask us to remove your data at any point up until it has
been anonymised, after which we can no longer identify which data is
yours. Email us and we will confirm what has happened to your data.
Who has reviewed this study?
The study has been approved by the UCL Research Ethics Committee,
reference EP/2024/020.
What if something goes wrong?
If you have a concern about any aspect of the study, please speak to us
first and we will do our best to answer you. If you remain unhappy and
wish to complain formally, contact the Chair of the
UCL Research Ethics Committee.
Contact
Questions about anything on this page? Email
james.moultrie.25@ucl.ac.uk.
Please keep a copy of this page for your records. You will also be
given a printed copy, and a consent form to sign, when you arrive.
