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State of the World’s Fathers survey
My name is Cian Manning and I’m currently conducting interviews with couples on behalf of the Men’s Development Network as part of the State of the World’s Fathers’ (SOWF) survey. I’ve attached a Fact Sheet on the survey for further information.
We are now arranging Online Interviews and are looking to talk to couples about their experiences of parenthood and caregiving. We are looking to interview the respective partners separately. These interviews will be carried out online via Microsoft Teams, with each interview lasting between 40 minutes and one hour.
As a token of our appreciation, each individual participant will receive a €50 gift voucher upon completion.
We’re reaching out to see whether you would know of any couples who would be interested in taking part in such an online interview? We are looking for a total of 20 couples from across the country and once we have reached this threshold, we will be closing invitations to new participants. If you know of any interested parties, you can forward this e-mail or my contact details as listed below to them.
There is plenty of flexibility regarding scheduling days and times for participants. We understand the demands and time constraints on couples, but we are more than willing and able to fit into their schedules. So, if any couples have a particular day(s) and times that work for them to carry out the interview, we can arrange with them to suit their schedule best.
If there’s any further questions, queries, clarifications or comments, you can contact me via this e-mail.
Thank you for taking the time to read this e-mail and we look forward to hearing from you!
Kindest regards,
Cian
What is this project about?
The State of the World’s Fathers (SOWF) project is an international study led by Equimundo, with the
Men’s Development Network (MDN) leading the Irish contribution. The project explores people’s
experiences and views on fatherhood, care, and gender equality in Ireland today. The aim is to
highlight how caring roles are shared in families and communities, and what supports or challenges
exist for fathers, mothers and caregivers.
Why have I been invited?
You are being invited to take part in an interview because your experience and perspective can help us
understand how care, parenting, and gender equality are lived in Ireland. We are speaking with a range
of participants, including fathers, mothers, and people working in family, community, and equality
related areas.
Is there any fee for taking part in the study?
While we will not pay a fee for participation, as a gesture of goodwill we will give each participant a
voucher worth €50 once they have completed the interview and sent in the photographs.
What will taking part involve?
If you agree to take part, you’ll be invited to a one-to-one interview on Teams (or in-person), lasting
about 45 minutes to 1 hour. The conversation will focus on your experiences and views around care,
gender equality, and support for fathers, mothers and carers in Ireland.
We will also ask you to participate in a photovoice activity which is described below.
Confidentiality
All information you share during the interview or through your photos will be treated as strictly
confidential. Your name and any identifying details will be removed from interview notes and reports.
Any quotes, stories, or images used in publications or presentations will be anonymised so that you
cannot be identified.
Data will be securely stored on the Men’s Development Network’s password-protected systems in line
with GDPR and data protection law. Only the project team will have access to this material. Audio
recordings and any other personal information will be deleted once written up and all data will be
permanently deleted at the end of the project.
The photo you share as part of the Photovoice activity will be stored securely and used only for the
purposes of this project. As part of the project some photos may be included in an international
photographic exhibition. The Men’s Development Network will hold the intellectual property of the
photo.
Photovoice
As part of the project, you will also be invited to share a photo (or photos) that represent your
experience of care or fatherhood. This is part of a creative “Photovoice” activity, where participants
use images to express their perspectives.
• You may take a new photo or use one you already have.
• Please avoid including identifiable faces (such as yourself or others).
• The photos will be securely stored and used only for this project.
• Please refer to the Photovoice information sheet for more information on this.
By submitting a photo, you give permission for the Men’s Development Network (MDN) to own and
use the image for research and communication purposes related to the State of the World’s Fathers
project (such as reports, presentations, or exhibitions). Your identity will remain confidential at all
times.
Do I have to take part?
No. Taking part is completely voluntary. You don’t have to answer any question you don’t want to.
You can also stop the interview at any stage or withdraw your photo at any time before the project
report is finalised without giving a reason. If you do choose to withdraw from the study you will not
be eligible for the €50 gift card.
What will happen to my information and photos (GDPR)?
Your participation and all materials you provide will be handled in line with GDPR and data
protection law.
• Interview notes, audio recordings, and photos will be stored securely on MDN’s password
protected systems.
• Only the project team will have access to this data.
• Any identifying information will be removed before use.
• Audio recordings will be deleted once written up.
• Data will be kept securely for the necessary period to allow for reports to be finalised then
permanently deleted.
All information shared will be confidential, and any quotes or photos used in reports or public
materials will not identify you unless you have explicitly agreed to this.
What are the benefits of taking part?
By taking part, you’ll be contributing to a national and global conversation about fatherhood and care.
Your insights will help inform recommendations for policy, workplaces, and communities to better
support equality and caregiving in Ireland.
What are the risks?
There are no expected risks in taking part. If any topic feels uncomfortable, you can skip the question
or end the interview at any time.
Who is running the project?
This Irish study is being carried out by the Men’s Development Network as part of the global State of
the World’s Fathers initiative led by Equimundo.
Who can I contact for more information?
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the project before or after taking part, please
contact:
Cian Manning – Men’s Development Network, consultant@mensnetwork.ie
Dr Kenny Doyle – Men’s Development Network, kenny@mensnetwork.ie
Dr Jordan Kirwan – Men’s Development Network, jordan@mensnetwork.ie
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