Paid opportunity to join a neurodivergent consultation group for the PhD project ‘Neuroinclusion in Themed Entertainment Attractions’
- Katapult Team
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
We're delighted to be part of a groundbreaking new research partnership aiming to rewrite the rulebook on theme parks and visitor attraction are designed, alongside the University of Birmingham and Drayton Manor Resort.
As part of our collaboration, our PhD researcher, Hayley Green, is seeking individuals to join her consultation group.
My name is Hayley Green, and I am a PhD researcher at the University of Birmingham. My project ‘Neuroinclusion in Themed Entertainment Attractions’ aims to identify what would make themed attractions, such as theme parks, more inclusive for neurodivergent people. This is so recommendations can be provided for themed entertainment operators and designers.
I am a themed entertainment enthusiast and neurodivergent. While I have many fond memories visiting theme parks I have also experienced challenges with accessibility and the sensory environment. All neurodivergent people will have unique experiences of visiting themed attractions, which is why I want to create a consultation group to help shape this project.
Members of the consultation group will receive Love2Shop vouchers at a rate of £25 per hour as a thank you for time and insights given. Consultation meetings and activities will happen approximately every 2-4 months until Dec 2028 and will take about 1-4hrs to complete. Involvement may increase or decrease based on stages of the project, and funding available.
Who am I looking for?
I am looking for 3 neurodivergent individuals to join the consultation group as ‘experts by experience’ (neurodivergent people who visit themed attractions, work at them, or design for them). You don’t need to be familiar with research.
You must:
Be at least 18 years old
Live in the UK
Be neurodivergent (either diagnosed or undiagnosed)
Have visited a theme park within the last 5 years
Read more about the project and who is involved on the Centre-UB project webpage
What would my involvement look like?
Your involvement will include providing valuable insights as an expert by experience to contribute to shaping the project’s direction and outcomes. Activities are likely to include providing insights on the following (to be confirmed):
Research questions
Survey and interview questions
Accessibility of surveys, interviews, recruitment adverts
Suitable methods of data collection
How data is interpreted (analysis)
Recommendations and resources for theme park operators, staff and designers
In what ways can I take part?
You will be able to take part in a way that is best for you. If you join the group, we can discuss this to ensure the process is as useful and accessible as possible. This could include providing input:
in a group via video call
individually via video call
in writing via email or an online form.
I can also be flexible around your time and days available and adapt as this changes over time. It is also okay if you need to stop your involvement in the project at any time.
How will I be compensated?
You will receive Love2shop gift cards via email at a rate of £25 per hour after completing a round of consultation group activities (approximately every 2-4 months). The activities, length of time, and amount you will receive will be stated beforehand. These gift cards are a thank you for your time and insights. Please don’t depend on these as a source of income. You can ask for a lower amount or decline the gift cards if you wish to volunteer for this project at any stage. There are no expected additional expenses that you will concur by being involved in this project. You can work at a place convenient to yourself and will need internet access.
You will be personally responsible to inform HMRC of any paid involvement to ensure you have had the correct deductions of tax and National Insurance. If you receive state benefits, payments may affect your benefit claim. You should notify Jobcentre Plus of any paid or voluntary activity. We can provide information to help support you to talk to Jobcentre Plus if you are on welfare benefits.
You can find more information at the NIHR website on the page called “Payment guidance for members of the public considering involvement in research”
If you have any queries or concerns:
Please contact me (Hayley Green) via email: heg594@student.bham.ac.uk. Alternatively, please contact Dr. Cathy Manning via email: c.manning@bham.ac.uk
If you would like to apply for this opportunity, please register your interest by completing the form on the link below. Registration will close once enough applications have been received.
People will be selected to join the group based on their answers on this form. To ensure a diverse range of experiences, questions include why you would like to join the group, what experience you have, and how you identify as being neurodivergent (e.g. autism, ADHD, dyslexia) to ensure representation across the neurodivergent community. You do not have to share anything you are not comfortable with.
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