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 need 32 people for
the EEG strand who can attend two sessions at UCL PEARL in September
2026 and who meet the equipment requirements below.
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 twice, on two different dates.
A researcher greets you, briefs you in person and goes through a
consent form with you before anything begins, on both visits.
- Visit 1 — individual session, about 90 minutes. Just
you and the research team. We fit an EEG cap, which records
electrical activity at the scalp, and an eye-tracker, which
records where you look. You then move through a configured space on
your own.
- Visit 2 — group session, about 90 minutes. The same
equipment, but this time you move through the space at the same time
as around thirty other participants. Overhead cameras record movement
paths across the group.
- Depending on which dates you choose, the individual visit comes
either before or after the group visit.
- There are breaks, and you can sit down, pause or leave at any
time.
What is the EEG cap like?
It is a soft fabric cap holding small sensors against your scalp. It
records activity; it does not send anything into you. To get a signal
we apply a small amount of water-based conductive gel at each
sensor, which washes out and does not stain. Fitting takes around
twenty minutes. Most people find it unremarkable; some find the cap
slightly snug. You may want to plan to wash your hair afterwards.
Why the requirements about hair and glasses?
The sensors have to make direct contact with the scalp, so hair that
cannot be parted — braided, locked, extended, or very thick
— prevents a usable recording, as does a head covering worn
during the session. The eye-trackers are a special pair of wearable glasses
and therefore would be tricky to wear on top of an existing pair of
glasses, though contact lenses are completely fine.
We want to be straightforward about this: these are limitations of
current EEG and eye-tracking equipment, not judgements about
participants, and they exclude some people unfairly — a problem
the field is actively working on. The
group-only sessions have
none of these requirements and are open to far more people. If you are
unsure whether the requirements apply to you, please email us rather
than ruling yourself out.
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 the group session places everyone in the space
together, we are not able to accommodate participants who need another
person or a mobility aid with them. 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 in the group session you will be in a moderately busy
space with other people. The EEG cap and gel are non-invasive; very
occasionally people find the gel mildly irritating to the skin, which
is why we ask about scalp conditions and adhesive allergies before you
book. Nothing invasive or physically demanding is involved, and you can
stop at any moment.
Are there any benefits?
You will receive £60 for taking part after your second session. If you
complete only the first visit, contact us and we may arrange a partial
payment for the time you gave. 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 — EEG recordings, eye-tracking
recordings, and anonymous movement paths, from both visits.
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 for
each visit.
