Taking part in the research

For this study, we would like to speak to:

• bereaved people who have attended an inquest or been involved with a coroner’s investigation since 2013
• people who work in and around coroners’ courts (including coroners, coroners’ officers, legal practitioners and members of support organisations)
• people who have given evidence at inquests in a professional capacity since 2013

There is more information for potential research participants below and you can find out more about the project itself here.

If you would like to get involved or if you have any questions, please contact Dr Hannah Rumble hr306@bath.ac.uk or Professor Jessica Jacobson j.jacobson@bbk.ac.uk .

Information for bereaved people

We are looking to speak with people who have experience of a coroner’s inquest into the death of a family member, partner, or friend. We would like to hear about experiences of attending the inquest, or about other aspects of the coroner’s investigation if you could not, or did not want to, attend the inquest.

What does it involve?

You can take part in this research by having an interview with one of the researchers to share your experiences (either face-to-face or remotely) or by sending the team a written account of your experiences that you can do in your own time.

We will be asking about your experiences, and this includes looking at which aspects of the process are particularly difficult or challenging for bereaved people, and which aspects may be more helpful. You can choose not to answer certain questions if you do not want to.

Your involvement in this research would be confidential, and any findings that are shared more widely will be fully anonymised.

Why should I consider taking part?

We hope that you will find it helpful and interesting to talk about your experiences. We also hope that, through our research, we will identify ways in which policy and practice relating to inquests can be improved. We will be talking about very personal and sensitive issues, so the interview may be difficult for you. Being involved in this research is completely voluntary, and you can choose not to answer certain questions or end the interview if you want to.  

A ‘thank you’ for taking part

If you decide to take part in the research, you will be given a £20 gift voucher (valid for use in a wide range of high street stores) as a small ‘thank you’ for your contribution.

Information for people who work in coroners’ courts and organisations supporting bereaved people

We are looking to speak with people who have experience of working in and around coroners’ courts: Senior, Area, and Assistant Coroners, Coroners’ Officers, Coroners’ staff, lawyers who represent families or state bodies, and those who support bereaved people, such as staff and volunteers of the Coroners’ Court Support Service.

What does it involve?

You can take part in this research by having an interview with one of the researchers to share your experiences (either face-to-face or remotely).

We will be asking you about your experience as a professional or practitioner in relation to the coroner service and inquests. This includes your experience of engaging with bereaved people and which aspects of the process are particularly difficult or challenging for bereaved people, and which aspects may be more helpful.

Your involvement in this research would be confidential, and any findings that are shared more widely will be fully anonymised.

Why should I consider taking part?

We hope that you will find it interesting to talk about your experiences. We also hope that, through our research, we will identify ways in which policy and practice relating to inquests can be improved. Being involved in this research is completely voluntary, and you can choose not to answer certain questions or end the interview/focus group if you want to.  

Information for those who have given evidence at inquests in a professional capacity

We are looking to speak with people who have given evidence at inquests in a professional capacity. This includes, for example, health and social care practitioners (such as doctors, nurses, care support staff), police officers and civilian police staff, prison officers, transport workers, and fire service staff. You might have given evidence only on one occasion, or it could be something that you do more frequently as part of your professional role.

What does it involve?

You can take part in this research by having an interview with one of the researchers to share your experiences (either face-to-face or remotely).

We will be asking you about your experience as a professional in relation to the coroner service and inquests. This includes your experience of giving evidence to inquests and whether you have had any engagement with bereaved people as part of this process.

Your involvement in this research would be confidential, and any findings that are shared more widely will be fully anonymised.

Why should I consider taking part?

We hope that you will find it interesting to talk about your experiences. We also hope that, through our research, we will identify ways in which policy and practice relating to inquests can be improved. Being involved in this research is completely voluntary, and you can choose not to answer certain questions or end the interview/focus group if you want to.