23 February, 2024

Inclusive Emergency Alert Messages

We are looking for people with mobility issues, mental health problems, and people from minoritized ethnic groups to help us design an emergency alert message.

What is the study about?

Emergency alert messages are important because they give people information about how they can keep themselves safe in emergency situations. However, some groups may face extra barriers to understanding and carrying out actions that the message recommends. The aim of this study is to create messages that can be used during emergencies that are appropriate for everyone, including people who may face additional barriers in emergency situations. We would like you to help us write these emergency alert messages ahead of time, so that if the situation happens, there are some messages ready to use. Now is your chance to share your thoughts and help improve these emergency alert messages.

Who are we looking for? We want to hear diverse perspectives.

You can participate if you are aged 18 years or older, live in the UK, and identify as;

• having a mobility issue,
• having a mental health problem, or
• being part of a minoritized ethnic group.

If this sounds like you, we would like to hear from you!

What will you do? You will have an hour-long conversation with our researcher over videocall (for example on Microsoft Teams) or by telephone if you do not have access to the internet.  At the start of the conversation, you will be given a situation to think about. This situation will be made up and will not be real. The situation will either be about extreme heat, an active shooter, or a chemical attack. We will ask you how you would feel and what you would do in this situation. Then, we will show you a draft emergency alert message and ask you how you can make it better. Your opinions could shape the future of emergency communications.

Your contribution matters! As a thank you for taking part, at the end of your conversation with the researcher, we will give you a £20 Amazon voucher or a £20 Love2Shop voucher (your choice).

If you are interested, please click here to find out more information and to give consent to take part. This link will also ask some questions about you. This is to make sure we include diverse voices in our research.

If you have questions, please email: anna.drozdik@kcl.ac.uk.