This page contains recruitment info for two of our ongoing studies: the “SENSE (Social Empathy and Navigating Shared Experiences) longitudinal study on student values and social well-being” and our ongoing “Anime and Manga Study” (scroll down).
1. SENSE Study (Social Empathy and Navigating Shared Experiences)
Hello, students, faculty, and staff of the Emory community! We are seeking participants for a study on community, shared values, and well-being and are seeking participants to take part in an interview, focus group, or survey for the SENSE study: Social Empathy and Navigating Shared Experiences at Emory. Participants must be 18 years of age or older and a member of the Emory community. If you are interested, please email us at socialempathylab [at] emory [dot] edu.
Before doing so, please take a moment to read the study information below:
Title of Project:
Social Empathy and Navigating Shared Experiences at Emory (SENSE)
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Brendan Ozawa-de Silva, Emory University
Co-Investigators:
Ashley Fan, College of Arts and Sciences
Anvita Guttikonda, College of Arts and Sciences
Introduction / PurposeThis research aims to better understand the role of social empathy, shared values, and community structures in shaping well-being and belonging among students, faculty and staff at Emory.
The study will explore four key areas:
● Exploring personal meaning and values through narrative methods, including interviews and visual storytelling exercises, to understand what matters most to individuals in the Emory community.
● Investigating how anonymous, empathetic exchanges can reduce feelings of loneliness and build a sense of “invisible community” among participants.
● Identifying shared core values within and across different Emory community groups (students, staff, and faculty) using the “What Matters Most” framework.
This project may offer valuable insights into how shared core values affect mental health, student well-being, and retention in the Emory communities.
Procedures
If you agree to participate, you may be invited to take part in one or more of the following:
A one-on-one interview (approx. 45–60 minutes)
Focus group (meet frequently throughout the year)
Online forms with open-ended questions (approx. 15–25 minutes)
Interviews and focus groups will be scheduled at your convenience and may occur in person (e.g., at Emory University or virtually (e.g., Zoom). With your consent, interviews and focus groups will be audio recorded.
Participation is voluntary, and you may skip any question or stop at any time without penalty.
Risks
There is minimal risk in participating in this study. You are free to choose not to respond to any question that may cause you distress at a level which you do not want to experience. You can always end the interview, skip a question in the survey, ask for a break, request to reschedule the interview, opt out of a focus group meeting at any point in time, or make another similar request.
Benefits
You may not personally benefit from this study, but your input can help us understand how empathy and shared values influence community-building and well-being in Emory. This may help shape future policies and programs to better support Emory students and staff.
Confidentiality
We will use a pseudonym rather than your actual name on study records. Your name and other facts that might point to you will not appear when we present this study or publish its results. Neither you nor any other participants will ever be identified as a participant in this research study. Only the principal investigator, Emory University Institutional Review Board, and research sponsor will be able to access the study records. Your confidentiality is assured.
Storing Information
In order to prevent a breach of confidentiality of the information you share, all names and locations will be replaced with pseudonyms in any public work to protect against disclosure. Any other potential identifying information (i.e. dates, occupational information) will be omitted or de-specified in order to protect confidentiality. We will not share the link between the study code and your identity. Linkages from names to pseudonyms will be stored in a password-protected file on a password-protected computer. Identifiers will remain in hard-copy and electronic data sets, which will be securely stored. Similarly, email addresses and phone numbers will be linked with pseudonyms and stored in a password protected file on a password-protected computer.
Contact Persons
If you have any questions about the study, please contact:
Prof. Brendan Ozawa-de Silva
Email: bozawad [at] emory [dot] edu
Phone: 404-617-3818
If you have questions about your rights as a research participant, contact the Emory University
Institutional Review Board (IRB):
Phone: 404-712-0720
Email: irb [at] emory [dot] edu
Voluntary Participation and Withdrawal
Your participation is completely voluntary and you have the right to refuse to be in this study. You can stop at any time after giving your consent. This decision will not affect in any way any other benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. You will receive a copy of this information form to keep, whether or not you choose to participate.
2. Anime and Manga Study
Hello, fans of Japanese anime or manga! We are seeking research participants aged 18 and up to spend one hour talking about your favorite anime or manga series and what you like about it for a study on the globalization and popularity of Japanese anime and manga. If you are interested, please send an email to socialempathylab [at] emory [dot] edu
Before doing so, however, please take a moment to read the study information below:
Title of Project: Globalization of Japanese Anime and Manga
Principal Investigator: Prof. Chikako Ozawa-de Silva, Emory University
Introduction/Purpose
This research aims to understand the widespread popularity of Japanese anime and manga both within Japan and internationally, especially among young adults. The study will focus on three key areas:
- Anime and Manga as a Social and Economic Phenomenon: Examining the cultural and economic impact of anime and manga in Japan and worldwide.
- The Subjective Experience of Anime and Manga: Exploring how fans connect with these media and how such media influence their self-understanding, especially in relation to issues like loneliness, empathy, and belonging.
- Anime and Manga as a Reflection of Japanese Society: Analyzing the content of anime and manga to understand how they represent and shape Japanese culture and its interactions with other cultures.
Procedures
If you agree to participate in this research study, you will be asked for your response to a one-on-one series of questions about your opinions on Japanese anime and manga. Interviews are expected to last one hour. Keep in mind that you may refuse to answer any question and that you may end the interview at any time without any consequence to you.
With your consent, the interview will be audio recorded.
I will conduct the interviews either virtually (e.g. Zoom) or in person at a mutually agreed upon place such as a café or my university office.
Risks
There is minimal risk in participating in this study. You are free to choose not to respond to any question that may cause you distress at a level which you do not want to experience. You can always end the interview, ask for a break, request to reschedule the interview, or make another similar request.
Benefits
Taking part in this research study may not benefit you personally, but we may learn new things that will improve our understanding of the globalization of Japanese anime and manga.
Confidentiality
I will use a pseudonym rather than your actual name on study records. Your name and other facts that might point to you will not appear when we present this study or publish its results. Neither you nor any other participants will ever be identified as a participant in this research study.
Only the principal investigator, Emory University Institutional Review Board, and research sponsor will be able to access the study records. Your confidentiality is assured.
Storing Information
In order to prevent a breach of confidentiality of the information you share with me, all names and locations will be replaced with pseudonyms in any public work to protect against disclosure. Any other potential identifying information (i.e. dates, occupational information) will be omitted or de-specified in order to protect confidentiality.
I will not share the link between the study code and your identity. Linkages from names to pseudonyms will be stored in a password-protected file on my password-protected computer. Identifiers will remain in my hard-copy and electronic data sets, which will be securely stored. Similarly, email addresses and phone numbers will be linked with pseudonyms and stored in a password protected file on my password-protected computer. My phone will also be under password protection.
Contact Persons
If you have any questions about this study contact the investigator, Chikako Ozawa-de Silva. If you have any questions about your rights as a participant in this research study, contact the Emory University Institutional Review Board.
Their telephone numbers and email are: Chikako Ozawa-de Silva:
Email: cozawad [at] emory [dot] edu
Phone: 404-617-3874
Emory University Institutional Review Board: 810.1.404.712.0720
Voluntary Participation and Withdrawal
Your participation is completely voluntary and you have the right to refuse to be in this study. You can stop at any time after giving your consent. This decision will not affect in any way any other benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
You will receive a copy of this information form to keep, whether or not you choose to participate.