Understanding hope when someone is missing- seeking research participants

There are 35 000 people who go missing in Australia each year and research tells us that for every person that vanishes up to 12 people will be affected.

Researchers from the School of Health at the University of New England are seeking participants to help them explore  what happens to the idea of hope when a loved one is missing. The research team believes that the study will provide insight into the way we understand this type of loss, how services can assist people left behind and what might be useful for people to know if someone disappears.

The research team is seeking participants who are over the age of 18 years across Australia for face-to-face interviews or involvement in an online focus group. Participation is entirely voluntary and those that choose to be part of the study can withdraw at any time without penalty. Participant’s details will be confidential, as will be the details of the person who was, or is, currently still missing.

For more information, or to discuss your interest in the study, contact Ms. Sarah Wayland on 0415558735 or email swayland@myune.edu.au

This project has been approved by the Human Research ethics committee of the University of New England (approval No. HE13-143 Valid until 5.6.14)

Should you have any complaints concerning the manner in which the research is conducted, please contact the Research ethics Officer at the following address:

Research Services

University of New England

Armidale NSW 2351

Telephone 02 6773 3543

Email: ethics@une.edu.au