Dear Student,

We are Dr Angelo Fynn (University of South Africa), Prof Elizabeth Archer (University of the Western Cape), and Mr Hugo van der Walt (University of South Africa), and we are conducting a national study on behalf of the Directorate of Institutional Research (DIR) at the University of South Africa (UNISA). You are invited to participate in a research project entitled “Food and Housing Insecurity among Staff and Students in Higher Education in South Africa.”

Purpose of the Study

This study aims to better understand the experiences of food and housing insecurity faced by staff and students in the higher education sector. Your participation will help institutions improve their understanding of the challenges affecting their communities.

Why You Were Selected

You have been selected because you currently study or work at a South African higher education institution. Only individuals aged 18 years or older are eligible to complete the survey.

What Participation Involves

The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. You will not be asked for your name or student/staff number. Internet costs incurred will be minimal.
Participation is entirely voluntary, and you may withdraw at any point before submitting your response. However, once submitted, your response cannot be withdrawn as the data is completely anonymous and cannot be linked back to you.

Use and Confidentiality of Your Data

By completing the survey, you consent to the use of your anonymous responses for research purposes. These may include academic publications, reports, and conference presentations. All findings will be reported in grouped form—never in a way that identifies any individual.
Data will be securely stored on a password-protected computer and retained for a minimum of five years in line with research audit requirements. Only the research team will have access to the raw data.

Risks and Benefits

There are no anticipated risks to participating in the survey. While there are no direct personal benefits or compensation, your contribution may assist universities in developing policies and support mechanisms to address food and housing insecurity more effectively.

Dissemination of Findings

The final research report will be published on participating institutions’ institutional research websites. If you would like to receive the final findings directly, you are welcome to contact Dr Angelo Fynn at fynna@unisa.ac.za.

Ethical Approval and Contacts

This research has received approval from the PARC Ethics Workgroups and the Research Permission Subcommittee (RPSC) at UNISA.

If you have any questions about the study, please contact:

• Primary Researcher:
  Dr Angelo Fynn
  Email: fynna@unisa.ac.za
• Ethical Concerns:
  Dr R Visagie (PARC Ethics Committee)
  Email: visagrg@unisa.ac.za
• To report serious unethical conduct:
  UNISA Toll-Free Ethics Hotline: 0800 86 96 93

Consent

By continuing to the next page, you will be given the opportunity to record your consent directly on the survey. You are free to exit the survey at any time prior to submission.

Survey Link

https://unisair.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4Gczcv52SbYTUXA